Support to help Sheffield’s thousands of unpaid carers carry on their vital role for family and friends
Action plan to do more to support an estimated one in every 10 Sheffielders
An update on action to support around one in 10 Sheffielders who care for family members, partners or friends is being outlined next week.
The 2021 Census recorded 49,010 carers in Sheffield, including approximately 7,000 young carers.
However, Sheffield City Council reckons that the actual figure is around one in 10 people, which would be about 58,000.
A report to be considered by the adult health and social care policy committee next Wednesday (September 16) adds: “Caring roles change frequently; in Sheffield about 20,000 people start caring, and 19,000 stop caring each year.
“Caring is a key social determinant of health.”
The report stresses the importance of supporting unpaid carers: “Research shows that every £1 invested in carer support can save local authorities £5.90.
“Without support, carers may reach crisis, increasing demand on adult care and hospitals.
“Conversely, well-supported carers reduce hospital readmissions, improve outcomes and maintain continuity of care.”
A Sheffield Carers Delivery Plan brings together key organisations such as the NHS and support groups.
The council has already launched Carer Connect, providing unpaid carers with 24/7 access to information and support through Sophie, an AI assistant available via WhatsApp in more than 40 languages.
Sheffield Young Carers have published a guide, Invisible in Plain Sight, to improve the identification of young carers by health and social care teams and launched a new employability programme for young adult carers.
The council has also introduced a young carer needs assessment. It has additionally partnered with the University of Sheffield to improve engagement with carers from minority ethnic communities.
Key priorities for 2026/27 include “improving identification of unpaid carers, with a particular focus on under-represented communities, to ensure support is accessible, inclusive and equitable”.
The work will include delivering awareness campaigns to increase recognition of carers and improve understanding of their rights and the support available to them.
Sheffield Carers Service has secured up to £48,000 in hardship funding for carers plus additional benefits, including free football tickets and cooking course places.
The report stresses: “There is much to be proud of in the support available for unpaid carers but we must continue to build on this progress to ensure carers are recognised, valued and able to access the support they need to maintain their health, wellbeing and caring role.”