Richmond Adult and Young Unpaid Carers’ Charter

The Richmond Adult Carers' and Young Carers Charter sets out priorities for all local organisations to work towards. Together we can build a supportive environment where care is not just a responsibility, but a shared value.

Background

Our borough is home to an estimated 14,000 people who have unpaid caring responsibilities.

An unpaid carer is anyone who looks after a friend or family member who, due disability, mental or physical illness or an addiction, cannot cope without their support. These responsibilities affect people of all ages and backgrounds, including over 1,000 young people locally.

Being an unpaid carer is a powerful expression of love, strength and resilience. They make a real difference every single day, and at some point in our lives we’re all likely to need to provide care for someone important to us, or to receive care ourselves.

The commitment and dedication of unpaid carers, often unseen, are vital to our community and local services. In Richmond upon Thames, caring for the people who matter most should be easier, not harder.

The Richmond Adult and Young Unpaid Carers’ Charter calls on all of us to strengthen the scaffolding that makes good care possible. We all share this responsibility. 

Priorities

The Charter's priorities aim to make sure those who are providing care or formerly were, are supported in a way that is appropriate and meaningful.

The right support can help balance caring and work commitments, stay physically and mentally healthy, have space to recharge and a financial safety net that gives us peace of mind – so we can care well.

The Charter's priorities are based on the experiences of over 250 Richmond residents with lived experience who shared their insights with us. These are their words. This is what is important to them.

The Charter serves as a commitment from organisations to recognise and value carers, ensuring they receive the support they need to balance their caring responsibilities with other aspects of their lives.

The Charter

The following statements in the words of unpaid carers are principles of the Charter. Some statements are specific to young carers.

View the Charter as a poster which can be downloaded.

Improving recognition and understanding

My lived experience, responsibilities and expertise are recognised, understood and respected by any professional I meet.

I am valued, heard and involved in shaping the support and decisions that affect me and the person I care for.

I get the right support at the right time.

Professionals recognise I am a young carer and understand how it affects me. (Young carer-specific)

Reducing financial, employment and educational challenges

I get support to understand my rights and entitlements as a carer.

I have timely help to navigate local financial advice and benefits support.

I have opportunities to learn about new things and increase my skills.

My employer understands my caring responsibilities and supports me in the workplace.

I am supported to achieve my goals and aspirations, so my caring role doesn’t stop me thriving and building a future for myself. (Young carer-specific)

Creating carer-friendly services and communities

The person I care for, and I can engage fully in our community; transport, safe well-maintained pavements, parking dispensations and accessible toilets are important to us

I have support and information to help me access health, social care and community support.

My community recognises the important role they can play in supporting young carers. (Young carer-specific)

I am seen as a priority in my community. (Young carer-specific)

Improving health and wellbeing

I have timely and flexible access to health and social care appointments.

I do not feel isolated because I have opportunities for social connection and meaningful activities.

I have breaks and respite from caring and other support to help me maintain or improve my own health and wellbeing.

I have access to fun opportunities to have a break from my caring role. (Young carer-specific)

I can spend time with other young carers who understand me, and I feel comfortable joining other activities for children and young people. (Young carer-specific)

Supporting the Charter

By local organisations signing up to the Charter and supporting unpaid carers, they will:

• Increase awareness around unpaid carers and former carers off all ages and what support is available
• Help unpaid carers to recognise themselves as carers and access early support
• Help to empower and recognise unpaid carers in their caring role
• Help to build a positive and inclusive organisation where unpaid carers feel valued
• Help employees and students who are unpaid carers feel valued and supported, improving their wellbeing and reducing the likelihood of needing to miss education, give up work or reduce their working hours
• Improve working practices which increase loyalty, motivation and retention should have a positive effect on performance
• Support current and former unpaid carers to bring their unique and valuable skills into the workplace and community
• Enable their pledges, actions and outcomes to be reported through an annual Charter update, presented to the Richmond Health and Wellbeing Board.

Submit your pledge

Submit the form to pledge your organisation's support for the Richmond Adult and Young Unpaid Carers' Charter.

We will be reviewing the outcomes of the Charter annually and Council officers may contact you to discuss progress. 

Pledge your organisation's support

Example pledges and actions

Example pledges and actions organisations could make to reflect the Charter.

Recognition and awareness

We will:

• Train all staff and volunteers to identify and support unpaid carers, including young carers
• Include carer identification questions in service user, patient or student intake forms
• Display carer-friendly signage and information in our premises and online platforms.

Support and inclusion

We will:

• Ensure carers are involved in shaping the services we provide
• Ensure young and young adult carers are involved in decisions that affect their education and wellbeing
• Offer flexible support options to accommodate carers’ responsibilities
• Make available information about local support options for carers
• Ensure carers are involved in decision making about the person they care for

Workplace and educational support

We will:

• Implement carer-friendly HR policies, including flexible working and leave arrangements
• Actively identify and recognise young carers and think about how we can support them as education providers
• Share information with carers about their rights
• Identify staff/volunteers with caring responsibilities and put in place strategies to support them in the workplace

Health and wellbeing

We will:

• Promote access to wellbeing activities and respite opportunities for carers
• Signpost carers to local health, social care, and community services
• Provide training to carers, such as manual handling
• Create safe spaces for young carers to connect and relax with peers
• Help connect young carers to local support services
• Offer carer focused activities to give carers a break

Community engagement

We will:

• Collaborate with local partners to create inclusive, accessible environments for carers and those they care for
• Celebrate Carers Week and other awareness events to highlight carers’ contributions
• Promote opportunities for carers to get involved

Monitoring and reporting

We will review our progress annually and contribute to the Richmond Health and Wellbeing Board’s Charter update to ensure transparency and continuous improvement.