Unpaid carers help others every day in Wolverhampton and the council wants to ensure they have the support they need around the clock with a series of digital tools.
Carers can feel isolated, but a new portal, Bridgit, offers help at any time of the day or night with advice and coaching on a wide variety of subjects from health and wellbeing to finances and practical tips.
Personalised information and support are tailored to the individual carer anytime, anywhere and using Bridgit, they can also now chat to AI coaches for help on anything from respite care to struggling with work life balance or money advice.
Many people may not recognise themselves as carers but may be performing that role if they are regularly providing unpaid help for a friend or loved one who may be experiencing or recovering from illness, living with a disability, mental health need or frailty.
The council is working with the Bridgit Care Platform to provide this latest digital support, adding to existing tools for valued unpaid carers, which includes Virtual House and Self-Assessment.
Virtual House gives the opportunity to explore a 3D model of a home highlighting useful gadgets and tools. It can help people to continue living safely and confidently in their own homes and offer assurance to carers about their loved ones.
The simple and affordable products shown could also have significant impact on aiding recovery from any hospital stay.
The council’s Early Support and Enabling Carers to Care Service also offers a digitised self-assessment tool giving unpaid carers more choice and control over their own needs in their caring role and how these are assessed. The tool provides tailored advice and signposting and is available around the clock.
Cabinet member for Adults, Councillor Linda Leach said she hopes carers will try out these new digital tools, which she hopes could make their lives much easier.
‘I have so much respect for unpaid carers, they are unsung heroes and work tirelessly day in, day out to look after those they love.
‘Many people don’t think of themselves as carers, but if they’re regularly providing emotional or practical unpaid help to a friend, neighbour or loved one then they most certainly are.
‘Recognising this and getting support early on can only benefit everyone, as it can be lonely, exhausting and carers can feel like they have nobody to turn to when they need it most.
‘These digital tools are aimed at ensuring carers can get that help whenever they need it, whatever time of day or night. They can turn to these useful tools to seek guidance on a wide range of issues and get answers to their questions.
‘These tools are about complementing the help Adult Social Care already provides, not replacing it.
‘It’s about ensuring carers have different ways to engage and get the help they need in a way that suits them. And importantly, it’s about ensuring we’re there for our carers in this city when they need it.
‘It ultimately enables people to stay safe and independent in their homes and live happier and healthier lives, which is what we all want.’
The tools are live now on the website. Bridgit can be accessed in multiple languages. Check the tools out here:
• Bridgit Care
• Virtual House
• Self-Assessment
And find out about everything on offer for carers here on the council’s website: Carer support.
Whether you find yourself new to caring or have been caring for some time, anyone using the digital tools for help and support are encouraged to provide feedback on them by emailing carer.support@wolverhampton.gov.uk, we are committed to ensuring that carers get the advice they need when they need it.
These tools are being funded by the Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF) which is a Department for Health and Social Care grant aimed at introducing innovation into social care, specifically for tools that better support unpaid carers.