Partners across Sutton come together to celebrate Carers for Carers Week 2020

This year, the focus is Making Caring Visible: With thousands of unpaid Carers in the borough who care day in and day out for some of the most vulnerable in Sutton, the partnership wanted to come together to make these stories more visible and recognise carers in the community. Even though more vulnerable families have reached out for support during COVID-19, Carers are still reporting that they feel 'hidden'.

There are 6.5 million people in the UK who are Carers and thousands in Sutton, who are looking after a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness or who needs extra help as they grow older.

In Sutton one in ten adults identify as being a carer, and our partnership recognises the huge importance Carers have in helping to improve the lives of residents in the London borough of Sutton.

Jon and Becky Bridge, Parent Carers for their extended family, including son Nicholas age 8 who has complex physical and emotional needs, said: “We are honoured to have spoken with The Mayor of Sutton and to have raised awareness that might help other families in Sutton.

“It’s been a tough time, and we would have struggled without the help of Sutton Carers Centre and the Council food boxes. It has helped us cope, lifting some of the stresses and strains as we have been shielding as a family to protect Nicholas. We really are grateful.”

Rachael MacLeod, Chief Executive of Sutton Carers Centre, said: “As the Bridge family members have told us, this is why national Carers Week is so important. They didn’t even know that the Carers Centre existed, so we hope that other Adult and Young Carers will speak up and get in touch if they, too, would appreciate some support.

“Carers make so many sacrifices looking after their family members and friends - physically, financially and emotionally - and it is only right that we recognise, respect and support them, too. Thank you to all unpaid Carers in our Sutton communities - those we know and those we hope to meet.”

Councillor Trish Fivey, Mayor of Sutton said: “Carers Week is a vital time to acknowledge the care, compassion and sacrifice given by Carers throughout our community who make a difference every day. The challenges they face are even more heightened as we across Sutton, and the country, live through COVID-19. There are so many inspiring stories of hope from within our community and as a Council, in partnership with dedicated colleagues at Sutton Carers Centre and the CCG, we have a duty to make caring visible.”

Dr Jeff Croucher, GP Lead for Sutton Borough Team, NHS South West London CCG said: “Carers play such a vital role in our community. We have pulled together as a community with our partners in health, Sutton Council, Sutton Carers Centre and the wider voluntary sector to support our Carers as much as we can during the pandemic.

“This year’s Carers’ Week is a timely reminder to all of us about how important our Carers are and to let them know how much we value them. I’m delighted that we are highlighting, during Carers’ Week, some of the wonderful stories of Carers in Sutton.”

For more information, visit the Sutton Carers Centre website or download our toolkit.