Tendring Community Assets Full Final Report

47 and improve their emotional and physical wellbeing. Much of this depends on community- based services which are local, accessible and valued by carers. 12.2 According to the 2011 Census, 145,872 adults in Essex provided informal care to relatives, friends or neighbours - a 13% increase in the number of carers from the previous Census. A large number of carers (31,882) provide more than 50 hours of care per week. For adults with physical disability, carers are likely to be spouses in their mid/later years. In Essex, 43% of people caring for an older person are themselves aged over 65. The number of older carers (65 years and over) providing care is also significant at 35,512. 12.3 In Tendring there were 17,323 carers (approximately 12.5% of the population), 2240 carers claiming benefits, 2.9% of the population, compared with 1.5% for Essex and 1.7% in England. 31.6% of carers were aged over 65 and providing unpaid care, the highest number in Essex. Tendring was ranked 8 th in England for provision of 50 or more hours of unpaid care. This changed from 2.8% in the 2001 census to 3.5% (i.e. 206 more carers) in the 2011 census, showing that there is an upward trend. With the ageing population in Tendring rising and level of need increasing, this is expected to continue to rise. 12.4 There are an estimated 10,000 young carers (aged between 11 and 18) in Essex, who have to combine their caring and support role with their education, early employment and their social and emotional life as a young person growing up. In the Essex Carers Strategy it is reported that over 25% of all young carers of secondary school -age experience problems of some kind, while 40% of children caring for someone who misuses drugs or alcohol have educational difficulties. Supporting young carers is essential if they are to start well and live well in the future. 12.5 In Tendring there is a range of Carers Groups, many specific to different conditions, for example, Parkinson’s support groups in Holland-on-Sea and Harwich, Stroke clubs in Holland-on-Sea and Harwich, Dementia Café in Clacton and Headway NE Essex group. There is very little in evidence in the West of the District, where many people appear to look towards Colchester. 12.6 Crossroads Tendring and Colchester runs a free to attend Young Carers group covering Tendring only, for children age 8-18 who have a caring role within the home. Meetings are held fortnightly and transport is provided, and day trips are arranged for young carers during the school holidays. There are currently about 100 members, with 55 children and young people on average attending each session. It is the largest young carer group in Essex. 52 12.7 The ‘Supporting Carers in Essex’ partnership, providing a range of Essex-wide advice, information and support services, ended in March 2018. Carers First are now the main provider of advice and information services for carers across the whole county; much of this is achieved through a telephone based information hub, offering advice, support and information about facilities available to carers. 12.8 Essex Carers Support remains very active across Tendring and, over the past year, the organisation has supported 143 carers in Tendring though a range of innovative projects. By their very nature, carers need to have support local to home, so outreach services into local communities are essential. 12.9 There are many groups and activities where a carer can attend with the cared for person. However, we found few activities where carers can leave their loved one to be cared for while they take a break in the daytime. Crossroads continues to provide respite breaks and sitting services, as well as information advice and signposting, which are highly valued by its service users. 52 Crossroads Tendring and Colchester website,