Tell us your experiences of caring during the coronavirus pandemic
When we asked people to tell us about their experiences of health and care services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic earlier in 2020 we became aware of some of the extra difficulties and challenges faced by those who provide unpaid or informal care for their loved ones.
Together with Northamptonshire Carers and Carers' Voice Northamptonshire, we would like to find out more about the experiences of those who have been providing unpaid care since March 2020.
We have two surveys, one for those age 18 and over (anyone younger than 18 can answer this longer survey if they wish) and one for young people age 11 to 17.
Go to the survey for those age 18 and over
Go to the survey for 11-17-year-olds
We will share the findings of our surveys with the service providers and planners to inform their work and help them to continue to deliver good quality care and support carers at this time.
These surveys are intended for unpaid carers (sometimes referred to as ‘informal’ or ‘family’ carers). This means someone who provides unpaid care or support for a relative, friend or neighbour. This person can be an adult or child and the care is as a result of additional needs due to a disability, mental illness or a long term health condition. This excludes people providing care as part of paid work – for example working in a care home, hospital or care agency but does include people providing care for a loved one who is in receipt of Carers Allowance or a Direct Payment.
If you need help completing the survey, would like to complete it over the phone, have any questions or would like to tell us about anything not covered by this survey, please contact us.
We will also be holding focus groups or are happy to phone you to discuss your experiences. If this is something you are interested in, please sign up here.
Please do share this survey with any unpaid carers or groups you know and if a group you work with would like to share more feedback, do get in touch.
This survey will close on 28 February 2021.
Healthwatch Northamptonshire will be working with Northamptonshire Carers and other partners to also hold a virtual engagement event for carers to highlight their concerns during the coronavirus pandemic and what services they want in the future. The event will take place as part of Northamptonshire Carers’ Annual General Meeting, mirroring a successful event in 2019 attended by nearly 100 carers which helped shape a local Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.
When: Tuesday 23 January 2021, 10am-midday
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtceqorT0pGd2C6Avv8c7pkYNHd-mwCzK7
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Any enquiries: Gwyn Roberts - Gwynr@northamptonshire-carers.org
Unpaid (informal) carers are playing a greater role than ever before in supporting people with their care needs. The changing priorities of health and care services during the coronavirus pandemic has had a big impact on both them and those they care for. Carers have valuable insight into how well services are working and we encourage them to have their say so that services can be improved for all carers.
- If you need more support as a carer, please contact Northamptonshire Carers on 01933 677907 or email carers@northamptonshire-carers.org
- If you would like to regularly give your views and get involved in shaping carers service, find out more about Carers’ Voice Northamptonshire by emailing carersvoice@connectedtogether.co.uk or calling 07856 875132
As part of our role to speak up for the people who use health and social care services and those that care for them, we are asking you to tell us more about your experiences as an unpaid carer during the pandemic. Your feedback can help Northamptonshire’s health and care providers to understand what could be improved as they work hard to provide the best possible care during these difficult times.
