THE Cornwall Carers Service, which supports unpaid carers across the Duchy, is ending at the end of the month. However, a new model will replace it from November.

Cornwall Rural Community Charity confirmed this week that the current carers service model is coming to a close at the end of October. The charity, which provided the outgoing service with partners including Promas and Age UK, said it is committed to ensuring carers are supported by the service and its partners up until the end of the current model.

Cornwall Council has announced this week that unpaid carers will soon be able to access more specialised support as part of a new service launching in November, which is tailored to their individual circumstances.

Disability Cornwall and Isles of Scilly will co-ordinate the new service, working with Barnardo’s, Alzheimer’s Society, Rethink Mental Illness and Whitehead-Ross Social Work to provide different kinds of support based on a carer’s needs.

Cllr Jim McKenna, Cornwall Council cabinet member for adult social care and health partnerships, said: “Each carer’s circumstances are different – someone caring for a child has very different needs from someone caring for a partner with dementia, so the support available needs to reflect that.

“This newly commissioned service will bring specialist organisations together and builds on the existing support available so carers can get more help that is easier to access and specific to their needs.”

Disability Cornwall and Isles of Scilly said: “We know carers make an extraordinary contribution to our families and communities, but too often their own needs, wellbeing and aspirations can be overlooked. We want carers to know that support is there for them, whether they need information and advice, understanding their rights and entitlements, practical help, a break from caring or simply someone who understands their circumstances.

“As an organisation rooted in lived experience and co-production, we also want carers themselves to help shape how the service develops. This is the beginning of a long-term partnership and we are really looking forward to working with carers and our partners across Cornwall to build a service that listens, learns and responds to what people actually need.”

Cornwall Council published the Caring in Cornwall strategy earlier this year following extensive engagement with more than 800 unpaid carers from across Cornwall, who said they wanted support that better reflected their individual needs.

Barnardo’s will deliver the Young Carers Service, providing a whole-family approach to supporting young carers up to the age of 18. Whitehead-Ross Social Work Ltd will provide the Parent Carer Specialist Advisor Service, supporting parent carers of young people with SEND who are transitioning into adulthood, as well as those caring for adult children who could not manage without their support.

Rethink Mental Illness will provide the Mental Health Carer Specialist Advisor Service, offering specialist support for carers of people with serious and enduring mental health needs. Alzheimer’s Society, along with their partners, will deliver the Specialist Dementia Service, providing a whole-family approach for people living with dementia and their carers.

Cllr McKenna added: “By bringing together a range of organisations and expertise, we want to ensure carers can access information, advice and support that helps them maintain their own health and wellbeing while continuing in their caring role, if they choose to do so.

“We are grateful to all the organisations that have supported carers across Cornwall over many years. Their commitment, experience and dedication have helped create the strong foundations on which this next phase of support will build.”

Cornwall Rural Community Charity, which provided the Cornwall Carers Service, said: “As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we are proud of our achievements delivering the service.

“The service has supported thousands of carers and their families and has played an important role in strengthening communities. Our priority now is to work with the new provider to allow a smooth transition for carers, staff and partners.”

The phone number to access services will remain the same: 01736 756655.