Hardship support for unpaid carers in Calderdale thanks to £5,000 grant

The Calderdale Council Household Support Fund will help around 85 carers in the area during the current cost of living crisis. Lydia Woodall, the Team Leader at Carers Wellbeing Service Calderdale said: "The grant is great news for struggling carers, we will target those carers in most need, this is particularly working age carers many of whom miss out on government help and will struggle with energy, food and water bills.

"It will also be used to support households with essential items such as fridges, microwaves, cookers, and kettles which they don't have or which are broken and need replacing. It will help people to pay fuel bills and it will be used to help people purchase food. The carers allowance is one of the lowest paid benefits of its kind leaving unpaid carers in often desperate financial situations".

Unpaid carers are facing unprecedented financial difficulties because of the current cost of living crisis, piling further stress on those caring for family and friends after an extremely challenging 2 years caring through COVID-19. Many unpaid carers and their families are simply at breaking point. Caring already comes with additional costs that can have a significant impact on carers’ finances, and many carers suffer financial hardship as a direct result of the care they provide. Energy bills have risen by over 50% and are predicted to rise further in Autumn.

The Making Space Carers Wellbeing Service Calderdale supports over 2,000 unpaid carers who are caring for a family member, friend or neighbour who cannot manage without support due to a health condition or disability. The service provides help with information and advice, one-to-one support, carers needs assessments, emergency back-up planning, social groups and activities, monthly support groups and courses for training.