Recognising and Supporting Carers in the Community
Andy McGowan ,Rachel Garton, and Jodie Deards
Andy McGowan - Policy and Practice Manager (Young Carers and Young Adult Carers), Carers Trust; Public affairs and policy advisor , Our Time.
Andy is Carers Trust’s lead on policy in relation to young carers and young adult carers and leads on Our Time’s policy activity around children of parents with a mental illness. He has over 20 years’ experience of raising awareness and seeking to improve support for young carers and young adult carers on a local, national, and international level. In 2022, Andy founded the Young Carers Alliance, a network of over 150 organisations and 300 individuals, all looking to improve support for young carers and young adult carers
Rachel Garton - Clinical Fellow with NHS England’s National Commitment to Carers Team and a registered Mental Health Nurse.
Rachel has worked for the NHS since 1993 in both community and inpatient roles, many of which included specific work related to patient, public and carer voice. Directly prior to joining NHS England Rachel spent 5 years working as Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Adults and has in total spent 10 years working in safeguarding roles in addition to education and leadership roles.
Jodie Deards - Carers Experience Lead, NHS England, East of England.
Jodie, a registered adult nurse who has worked supporting patients and family’s manage long-term health conditions in the acute and community settings as well as within primary care. She took up carers Experience Lead in an acute trust, transforming carers experience and was awarded RCNi Commitment to Carers winner in 2017. Jodie took up the regional Carers Experience NHSE post in 2021.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a monumental impact on unpaid carers. Many people also took on new caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or elderly and who need support.
They need to be recognised for the difficulties they are experiencing, respected for all they are doing, provided with information, and given the support they need to care safely.
A carer is anyone who looks after a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness, addiction, or who needs extra help as they grow older. Caring's impact on all aspects of life from relationships and health to finances and work can be significant. Whilst many feel that caring is one of the most important things they do, its challenges should not be underestimated. Caring without the right information and support can be tough. It is vitally important that we recognise the contribution carers make to their families and local communities, workplaces, and society, and that they get the support they need.
