Support for carers to attend COVID-19 vaccinations

Carers, and those dependent upon them, face many additional difficulties and obstacles during the pandemic. Specialist support organisations across Norfolk have responded to the need as follows. Please help spread the word as appropriate. 

Support for carers to attend COVID-19 vaccinations 

Caring Together is a leading charity supporting carers of all ages across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk.  At Caring Together they know how important it is that people looking after a family member or friend get the coronavirus vaccination. They also know it can be very difficult, for a range of reasons, for carers and those in their care to actually get to appointments. It might be lack of transport, needing someone to look after the person they care for whilst they are attending the vaccination appointment, or any number of other logistical reasons. Caring Together provides free help with this, and invites anyone who is a carer, and has challenges in attending their COVID vaccination appointment, to contact them for assistance.   

The number to call is 0345 241 0954 or email hello@caringtogether.org or complete the form here.   

Please note that the support is to help carers and the people they look after to attend appointments. Caring Together is not able to arrange for people to be given an appointment to receive the vaccination. 

If anyone is in any doubt about who qualifies for help, Caring Together says a carer is anyone, including children and adults, who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support.  Read more here.   

Wellbeing packs for carers  

Norfolk County Council is working with Caring Together and Carers Voice to put together wellbeing packs to show their appreciation for Carers across Norfolk, as they recognise how difficult it has been for many Carers during the pandemic. It is hoped the packs will bring a little joy in these difficult times. The packs include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), along with a selection of pick-me-up items. Carers are invited to apply for the packs here.   

Being a carer can be both challenging and rewarding. Sometimes people need a bit of support in their caring role, some information or advice, or would like to become involved in decisions about carers’ services.  Carers Matters’ advisers and family carer practitioners are there to help on 0800 083 1148. Read more here.     

Carers Voice is part of Carers Matters and invites people to get involved in the carer community by taking part in workshops, service involvement groups and Carers Locality Networks. Find out more here.     

Finding those that slip through the net 

Unpaid carers are one of the priority groups that Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group is working to vaccinate. It’s estimated that only about 10% of unpaid carers are known about because many don’t claim carers allowance or have it noted on their medical records that they are a carer. The CCG is asking all of us for help in finding these unregistered carers to ensure they can be offered help and support when and where needed. Read our article about this in our earlier feature here.