Caring Together’s Carer Council is an important part of carers having their voices heard in how Caring Together works, and further afield.
We want to bring you up to date on the latest meeting – and to let you know how you can give views to Caring Together and the council.
An important way you can give your views is through our Carers Speak Out page – and you can click here to share your thought and experiences.
And if you would like to know more about our Carer Council you can contact the chair, Steve Acklam, at [email protected]
Carers Rights Day
The council was thanked for helping to shape the approach Caring Together took to Carers Rights Day 2023. And an update was giving on what was being done. This included:
- Our 2023 Carers Speak Out report had been published – this includes what carers have told us about their experiences through the Carers Speak Out page
- A news story and media release had been published to share the Carers Speak Out report and how we can all act to make a difference to carers.
- People were being invited to sign a pledge to show they were taking one small step to support unpaid carers
- MPs, councillors, and others were also being sent copies of the Carers Speak Out report.
It was agreed the input of Carer Council had been valuable and the Carers Speak Our webpage remains an important way for carers to have their views heard.
The 2023 Carers Speak Out Report was seen as highlighting the power of carers talking about their own experiences, and it is something used year-round, not just at Carers Rights Day.
Fundraising for young carers
An update on the Back To School appeal was given.
The funding this appeal brought in has meant we have been able to continue our work with young carers in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. This work sees us going into schools and supporting them to create groups for young carers and to help raise awareness. Other events and activities for young carers are also held.
Money has been given to support the young carers work by many individuals and also corporates. It has shown the importance of connections with people and businesses. Carer Council praised the fundraising team for their efforts and the amazing results in managing to bring in the money to keep this important support for young carers going.
Future plans for Carer Council
There was discussion on how to improve the way Carer Council works so there is more joint and partnership working with staff and Carer Council (known as co-production).
We can look to use carer hubs, the inside news email newsletter and other ways for carers to give views.
A session looking at co-production is being planned.
Using AI (artificial intelligence)
A presentation about AI and how it could potentially be used was made.
There are so many benefits in AI that we are exploring but we need to make sure we apply caution where needed especially around the use of data. More testing is planned before we agree our approach which includes a presentation to trustees.
