Blackpool sees huge increase of carers in need of support as mental and physical illnesses take their toll during lockdown

Mental health struggles, long-term health problems and the lingering effects of Covid-19 have caused many people to take on caring roles this year, Blackpool Carers Centre said.

The centre on Newton Drive has seen a huge increase in the number of new carers stepping through its doors.

Director Faye Atherton said: "We have seen an overwhelming increase in mental health conditions that are in turn bringing people into caring roles. People have been struggling during lockdown and their problems have come to the surface during the pandemic.

"Alcohol and substance misuse is on the rise as people turn to them as ways of coping.

"We've had a long flow of people for months coming to us wondering whether they're going to have a job after Christmas.

"As well as that, people with unrelated health conditions not related to Covid-19 have been putting off treatment because they feel like hospitals are now just for Covid-19 patients. They have been waiting for things to get back to normal and obviously that hasn't happened, so their health conditions have worsened."

Additionally, elderly people who would otherwise have sought residential care are now being looked after by their families as many fear they will catch coronavirus if they go into a home.

These problems mean the carers centre is currently supporting a number of people previously unknown to the service.

At the same time, the centre is facing a £130k loss this year with the cancellation of many fund-raising events due to Covid-19.

And the need for proper social distancing means resources are stretched as group activities must be carried out one-to-one.

"It's not just about the numbers, but about the complexity of the cases," Faye said. "While we are seeing an increase in numbers, we're also finding that we have to spend a lot more time with people to work things out.

"We are expecting the number to increase in the new year.

"We do get funding from the CCG and the council, we also benefit from grants from Children in Need and the Big Lottery Fund. But there's lots of competition out there for these grants, and there's no guarantee we will get them next year."

So what can the people of Blackpool do to help the carer's centre in these difficult times?

Faye said: "We are not closing our doors and while we're aware that the demand is high, that's what we're there for.

"If anyone has got any big aspirations next year, any crazy challenges they want to do, then please send them our way. This way people can bring in sponsorship money while achieving a personal goal.

"We always welcome support from any businesses out there as well.

"Everyone has worked really hard this year. We have not come out of it unscatched, but we have come out of it together with lots of new ideas. There's lots to do and lots of changes to make."