A NEW campaign launched by a business with a Wokingham base aims to help isolated people make new connections.
GoodOaks Homecare wants to support the country’s five million unpaid carers with its You Are Not Alone campaign.
An online hub is paired with a helpline, offering free advice and support to those who are looking after a loved one. Those on the other end of the line are care professionals with extensive sector experience.
The website includes video guides, tailored towards answering the key questions that individuals often have when it comes to providing care for their loved ones, including funding options, and explanations of the individual support option to which carers may be entitled.
GoodOaks says it survyed 1,000 unpaid carers across England, with more than half feeling unable to meet their own health and wellbeing needs, and almost nine out of 10 lacked a ‘good understanding’ of the Carer’s Leave Act’s provisions.
This came into force earlier this month and includes the right to a week of unpaid leave.
In the South East region, 10% of unpaid carers polled felt they had a ‘good understanding’ of the Act, and nearly three-fifths felt unable to meet their own health and wellbeing needs.
Ben Ashton, founder of GoodOaks Homecare, said: “We hope that our range of options will provide support, respite and empowerment to family carers in all manner of scenarios.
“We know how much they sacrifice for those they care for, and hope that the You Are Not Alone campaign can go some way to help.”
GoodOaks Homecare employs more than 400 staff in 22 franchises across Central and Southern England.
