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Plymouth Launches Carers Strategy to Support Plymouth’s Carers

Plymouth City Council proudly introduces its Citywide Carers Strategy, an initiative dedicated to enhancing the well-being of carers across Plymouth. Created in collaboration with key partners - Improving Lives Plymouth, University Hospitals Plymouth 

NHS Trust, Livewell Southwest, and St. Luke’s Hospice - the strategy responds to carers' requests for improved access to 
essential support services. It highlights Plymouth’s commitment to equipping carers with the resources, flexibility, and understanding needed to manage both their caregiving responsibilities and personal well-being.

Carers often encounter considerable obstacles, from long wait times for critical assessments to the challenge of navigating intricate healthcare and social care systems. Gary Wallbridge, Strategic Director for Adults, Health and Communities at 

Plymouth City Council, emphasises the importance of recognising carers as essential contributors to the community:

“Carers play an invaluable role in our communities, often managing emotional, physical, and logistical strains. This strategy 

is designed around their experiences and aims to make a real, positive impact. We are dedicated to reducing barriers,
improving communication, and ensuring carers have timely and well-coordinated support.”

Key Priorities of the Carers Strategy:

  1. Reducing Waiting Times for Assessments and Services
  2. Enhanced Service Coordination and Personalised Support Plans
  3. Improving Communication and Information Sharing Among Services
  4. Timely Follow-ups and Responsive Communication
  5. Acknowledging Carers' Roles in Appointment Scheduling

This strategy acknowledges the crucial role of carers in Plymouth. The initiative seeks to reduce the logistical, emotional,

 and physical challenges they face, building a stronger, more empathetic support network for them.

Councillor Mary Aspinall, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care at Plymouth City Council, added:

“Carers deserve respect, understanding, and real support. This strategy delivers on that promise through collaboration with healthcare, social care, and community partners. We’re here to support carers as they care for others.”

To access the full strategy and learn more, please visit: Click Here

A Task and Finish subgroup within the Carers Strategic Partnership Board (CSPB) was formed to lead the project. This group

 guided the strategy's development, ensuring that a wide range of perspectives was considered.

This strategy reflects our collective efforts and dedication to making a tangible difference in the lives of carers across

 Plymouth. We are committed to working together to implement these priorities through an action plan, which will be
 delivered and monitored by the CSPB to ensure carers remain at the forefront of our community.

For more information about this strategy or to offer suggestions for actions to add to the plan, please contact the Joint Commissioning team at:

Email: jointcommissioning@plymouth.gov.uk
Phone: 01752 307074
Website: www.plymouth.gov.uk