Carers’ Voices at the Heart of Change

By Margaret Booth

Over the past year, I’ve been working closely with Carers Manchester as part of their Lived Experience Group, a network of people who have first-hand experience of unpaid caring and are passionate about improving the lives of carers across Manchester.

We meet monthly to discuss key issues affecting carers in the city and offer input into various projects – some long-term, others one-off workshops or online sessions. So far, I’ve taken part in two longer projects, both expected to run for about a year: the Carers Breaks Project and the Hospital Discharge Project.

Carers Breaks Project

You may have already heard of this one. It’s focused on identifying gaps in respite provision and shaping a new strategy for carers to access breaks more easily. One key outcome is the introduction of two bookable respite beds at The Dell Care Home in Manchester, which can now be accessed through social services.

It’s a small step, but a vital one. If you need respite care, please contact your social worker or call the Social Services Contact Centre on 0161 234 5001. We’d love to hear about your experiences if you manage to access a bed – the more demand we can show, the stronger the case for more provision.

We’ve also gathered input from carers via a questionnaire earlier this year and have been visiting groups to talk about the practicalities of taking a break when someone depends on you full-time.

Hospital Discharge Project

This project is a little slower to get going. It’s part of a national Accelerated Reform Fund (ARF) initiative, aimed at improving the hospital discharge process. Delays in staff recruitment and changes to government policy (including the end of the “discharge to assess” pathway) have made this one more complex.

That said, things are now starting to move, and we’re beginning to dig into some of the deeper issues carers face during the discharge process. It’s shaping up to be more nuanced than expected, and more important, too.

Have Your Say: Carers Strategy Consultation

Carers Manchester is now working with Manchester City Council to develop a new carers strategy, and they want to hear from you. An online survey is now live, featuring five open-ended questions about the changes you'd like to see. Click here to have your say! There will also be focus groups taking place both in person and online.

Please do take part if you can, this is a chance to shape local carer policy, and your voice matters.

About the Lived Experience Group

The Lived Experience Group is supported brilliantly by the Carers Manchester team, with regular updates, one-to-one support when needed, and monthly meetings (in person or online, alternating each month). Meetings and project work are paid at £15/hour, with travel expenses covered. You can choose to be paid via bank transfer or gift vouchers – whichever works best for your financial situation.

If you’re an unpaid carer and want to get involved, I’d encourage you to join.

Interested? Email: livedexperience@carersmanchester.org.uk

Margaret Booth, Lived Experience Group Member and Carer Advocate