Wolverhampton carers save country £400 million
Released: 26 September 2007
Carers in Wolverhampton save the country a staggering £400 million a year.
This is the monetary value put on the unpaid support provided by the 26,000 people who look after a relative or friend in the city.
A report from charity Carers UK out this week shows that the efforts of carers nationally saves the UK £87 billion per year - more than the total amount spent by the NHS.
The average person caring for a sick or frail relative is estimated to save the nation more than £15,260 a year - meaning Wolverhampton's carers are saving a total of £396,760,000.
The figure is up 52 per cent since 2002 and is based on how much it would cost to provide alternative care if a carer was not available, calculated at £14.50 an hour.
Geoff Foster, Wolverhampton City Council Cabinet Member for Adults, said: “We always knew that Wolverhampton’s carers are the city’s unsung heroes - and this survey proves just how important they are to the city.
“Wolverhampton City Council’s Carer Support Team, based in Queen Street, is on hand to help carers continue to make this valuable contribution, by offering them all the help and support they need to look after someone.”
The Carer Support Team offers help and advice to unpaid carers to improve their quality of life and enable them to continue in their caring role.
Regular support groups enable carers to get advice from professionals and allow them to talk to others in a similar situation, while the Carer Support Team offers training in a range of skills, including first aid, respiratory and arthritis awareness as well as information on subjects such as dementia, diabetes and relaxation.
Carers can also join a Carer Task Group, allowing them to help develop and plan services.
To find out more about the help available for carers in Wolverhampton, watch the Carers Support DVD. It gives an overview of services from the perspective of some of the carers who access them. People can also call the Carer Support Team on 01902 553409.
Issued by the press office.