Published on: Wednesday 21st December 2022

Staff at our Trust and people who use our mental health and learning disabilities services and carers have come together to adapt and release a favourite Christmas carol promoting unpaid carers.

Hark the Herald Carers Sing’ is being shared on social media and with the local media. It is part of a drive by our Trust to raise awareness of the vital contribution unpaid carers make while at the same time encouraging carers to come forward and seek help. Education and training are being rolled out across our Trust to ensure staff can offer guidance to carers of people who use our services and know how to refer them for support.

An unpaid carer is anyone who cares for a friend or family member who relies on their support, whether it’s for a few hours each week or 24 hours a day. There are over 115,000 carers of all ages living in Surrey.

Earlier this year, we launched a Carer’s Prescription for unpaid carers. This enables our staff to refer carers who are Surrey residents to a wide range of support services. This includes support provided by Surrey County Council, Action for Carers and other local services. We have also created a package of information on services available for unpaid carers. This can be accessed by visiting the Surrey and Borders Partnership website and searching for ‘families and carers’

Our Associate Director for Experience and Participation at Surrey and Borders, Sophie Bevan said: “We recognise that with the cost of living rising, this is a particularly challenging time for unpaid carers in our community.

“At Surrey and Borders Partnership, we are committed to supporting those caring for people who use our mental health and learning disability services. This year, we have launched our Carer’s Prescription to provide a joined-up approach with other agencies that provide support to carers. We also have a dedicated Carer’s Lead, who is providing training and awareness sessions to staff across our Trust.”

“We hope our Christmas carol, ‘Hark the Herald Carers Sing’, will encourage those caring for people who use our services to approach us for support. If you have unpaid caring responsibilities, we encourage you to speak to a member of our staff providing care to your loved one. Our staff are ready and prepared to provide support and guidance on local services which can help you.”

‘Hark the Herald Carers Sing’ has been recorded by senior executives from across Surrey and Borders Partnership along with people who use the Trust’s services and their carers. Those involved include Chief Executive, Graham Wareham, Director of Safety and Experience, Maggie Gairdner, Associate Director for Experience and Participation Sophie Bevan and people who use the Trust’s MyTime Epsom service and their carers. MyTime Epsom supports people aged 18 and over with a learning disability.

Find out more information on the support available for unpaid carers in Surrey.