Birmingham and Solihull Cluster are pleased to announce the future arrangements for the provision of support services to mental health Carers in Birmingham.

Following current policy drivers to ensure equitable service provision for both Carers and young Carers across the city, a new city wide Carer’s support service has been commissioned. The policy drivers acknowledge the crucial role that carers play and recognise the need to support Carers in providing care. It also recognises that many Carers, especially young Carers, are not identified and are provided with little or no support. In many cases it is inappropriate for young people to be providing care.

It is estimated that 1 in 40 people is a mental health carer meaning that around 25,000 people in Birmingham are caring for a partner, relative or friend with a mental health condition. It is likely that around 1250 these Carers will be children under the age of 18.

Being a mental health Carer can be a rewarding experience but in many cases Carers experience a decline in their own health and wellbeing, financial pressures, problems maintaining employment and difficulties in retaining friendships outside the caring relationship.

Following consultation with Carers and a competitive tendering exercise Stonham Home Group were awarded the contract to deliver these services across Birmingham under a 3 year contract.

The new Citywide Mental Health Carers & Young Carers Support service will be launched from 1st October 2011, and replaces three existing mental health carer support services provided respectively in Birmingham East and North, Heart of Birmingham and South Birmingham. The service will offer a range of support to people who care for a person with mental health needs including advice and information, one to one support and the development of peer support groups. The service will also cater to the specific needs of young mental health carers.

Stonham Home group are the largest provider of housing related support for socially excluded people across England and currently provide a range of services across Birmingham. They have long-standing experience of supporting Carers, children & young people and people with mental health needs.

Stonham have been working with commissioners and current providers to ensure a smooth transition to the new service for carers and staff, and will be working closely with Carers in the forward development of the service across the city to ensure mental health Carers needs are effectively identified & met.

For further information on the new service please contact: – MHCarerService@homegroup.org.uk