Crewe and Nantwich residents who act as unpaid carers for a loved one can now access up to £500 from a new fund set up to pay for breaks.
The new Carers’ Living Well Fund, launched on November 1, is a joint initiative by Cheshire East Council, NHS Eastern Cheshire and NHS South Cheshire clinical commissioning groups.
Its aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of the hundreds of people in the area who have domestic caring responsibilities.
It can include young children caring for a parent or sibling in need of additional support, or a spouse caring for a partner.
Those cared for may have mental health needs, elderly care needs or physical health and mobility needs.
The new fund and will be available until March 31, 2018.
Carers can access financial help for activities, including a break from their caring role.
There will be exclusions for some activities and more personal financial commitments or where social care or health service funding applies.
Cllr Liz Wardlaw (pictured), cabinet member for health, said: “Many of us will become carers within our families over our lifetime, perhaps caring for our parents or our spouse.
“There are many young ones who think nothing of looking after a parent or sibling as part of their family life.
“These unpaid – often referred to as hidden carers – can spend up to 20 hours a week looking after a loved one, sometimes with personal care, shopping, dressing and household chores.
“The Carers’ Living Well Fund is about helping carers to enjoy a good ‘work and home life balance’, avoiding the risk of jeopardising their own health and wellbeing.
“Often their support goes unpaid and, without help and support for themselves, they can feel a sense of isolation – that life can be a struggle with physical and emotional demands.”
Money from the Carers’ Living Well Fund is a one-off payment, limited to one payment per household, where the eligibility criteria have been met.
It can be made at two levels – £250 or £500.
Families and organisations working with carers are asked to identify and signpost them towards financial and help services available.
This includes those who have never accessed statutory or voluntary support, and those new to the role.
There is a maximum of one grant per household or cared-for person and young carers, under the age of 18, should have a bank or building society account or agree to the grant being held by a parent or guardian.
For more details and to apply, email [email protected]
I would like to apply for the well-being fund please I care for my 12 year old grandson with adhd and autism