Agenda item

Katy Lewis, Carers Strategy Manager, to provide an update on the Carers Strategy and Programme

Katy Lewis, Carers Strategy Manager, presented an update on progress during the first quarter of the Strategy’s implementation.

The following presentation provided an overview of the launch of the Strategy and the co-design process undertaken with partner organisations to identify key actions as well as an update on the progress of Carers Connect, the new digital tool for carers funded by the Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF):-

Launch Event 9^th June, 2026

-        84 attendees with 16 market place stalls hosted by partner organisations

-        Target audience of colleagues in voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, Adult Social Care and frontline health professionals to champion the Strategy and Carer Connect

Care Connect Rotherham – Carer Connect and AI Assistant - Robin

-        No need to fill in a form, search the web or wait for call centre staff

-        Everyone’s situation is unique so just ask your question your way

-        Does not matter if there were spelling mistakes

-        If it was not clear Robin will ask you a clarification question

-        If knowing where you are caring for someone, advisor will ask for an area or postcode

-        Responses were immediate

-        Carers could pick up the conversation again at any point

-        The advisors would also keep in contact

Keeping in touch with Carers

Scheduled messaging spanning 18 weeks from first communication

-        South Yorkshire carers said they would benefit from this messaging and wanted it – they also had the ability to opt out

-        Enabling and driving an ongoing conversation with carers

-        Being able to proactively promote services e.g. Respite, local events, information etc.

-        Promoting carer wellbeing

-        Better understanding of what carers wanted from South Yorkshire services

-        Ability to broadcast messages to carers as a one-off message in development

-        Keep in touch with carers that do not use social media

Communication Plan

-        Multi-channel communications campaign

-        To raise awareness and encourage engagement

-        Social media and newsletter

-        Storytelling featuring a carer and an Elected Member

-        Complemented by targeted media engagement including press releases for local media

Social Media

-        Activity focused on increasing awareness and understanding of Carer Connect

-        Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

-        Views – 30.6k

-        Reach – 134k

-        Link clicks – 135

-        Comments and likes – 74

Newsletter

-        Rotherham Roundup e-newsletter

-        Reached over 10,000 subscribers

-        Generated 31 clicks to Carer Connect webpage

Media Coverage

-        Targeted media engagement secured The Star and Rotherham Advertiser

-        Additional coverage secured through BBC Radio Sheffield

First Quarter 2026/27 Update

Internal Activity

-        Improving advice, information and guidance to increase the AI Assistant’s navigation ability

-        Linking the CQC Improvement Action Planning with the Carers Strategy objectives

Partner Activity

-        RDaSH improved carer identification processes and employee support

-        TRFT improved carer identification and access to advice, information and guidance

-        Family Action improved young carer identification, producing a toolkit for professionals

Discussion ensued with the following issues raised/clarified:-

·        The innovation was welcomed.

·        It was confirmed that, whilst Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise were helping with the roll-out of Carers Connect, the take-up needed to be better and the Service was working on selling the benefits more.

·        It was part of the ongoing media plan to include information on Carers Connect in the Ward Newsletters.

Resolved:- (1) That the actions taken to comment implementation of the Strategy and the launch of the digital tool, a key element to the multi-channel approach to advice, information and guidance for carers, be noted.

(2) That a further update on Carer Connect be submitted to the Health and Wellbeing Board in September 2027.