Who Cares? Hearing how caregivers view available support and resources in Somerset
- Healthwatch Somerset
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
Updated: 17 minutes ago
Triggered by increasing concerns raised by local carers and chosen as a priority through the 2024 People's Vote, our report aims to amplify the voices of carers who can often be overlooked in health and care systems.
'Who cares?' shines a spotlight on the lived experiences of unpaid carers in Somerset, revealing widespread difficulties in accessing timely, clear, and consistent support and information.
Our report includes deeply personal accounts from local carers like Pat and Sam (names changed), who describe being left to navigate difficult care transitions, housing issues, and family crises with little professional support.
Key findings
Many carers are unaware of available support due to unclear communication and inconsistent information from services.
Carers frequently face barriers during transfers of care, such as poor hospital discharge communication and lack of follow-up.
Young carers and carers supporting people with mental health needs report unique struggles and limited resources.
The Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector plays a critical role in filling gaps left by statutory services.
Carers call for information in both digital and paper formats, written in plain language and designed with accessibility in mind.
We urge professionals to routinely ask , “Are you a carer?” and to ensure carers are involved in care planning and decision-making processes.
Read our report
If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk
or call 0800 999 1286
