A new scheme to support adult carers in Swale has been launched thanks to an £11,000 cash injection from Canterbury Christ Church University.
The Supporting Adult Carers in Swale project will be run in conjunction with Swale Carers Centre and is aimed at improving the physical and mental health of adult carers and those for whom they provide care.
Professor Annmarie Ruston, who is the project lead at Canterbury Christ Church University for the Supporting Adult Carers in Swale project said: “Carers who provide high levels of care for sick or disabled relatives are more than twice as likely to suffer from poor health compared with people without caring responsibilities.”
She continued: “This project will provide adult carers with the knowledge, skills and motivation to improve and maintain their mental and physical wellbeing and to prevent injury.”
The scheme is part of the South East Coastal Communities Project which aims to regenerate the area in which Swale residents live and work. It is the second scheme to receive an award from the University following the Young Carers Transition to Adulthood Project last year.
The South East Coastal Communities Project in Kent is run by three universities: Canterbury Christ Church, Kent and Greenwich. It is a UK first in higher education for universities to team up to address the regeneration needs of a socially deprived area.
Christine Lovelock, Chief Executive Officer of Swale Carers Centre said: “With the help of Canterbury Christ Church University we are developing an adult carers “toolkit” that will offer support to both our carers and the people they are caring for with advice on looking after themselves. Without the help and support provided by the University, this vital assistance would not be available to those in need of care.”
