Building on strong foundations
At North Tyneside Carers’ Centre, our focus for the year ahead is strengthening the support we offer, deepening partnerships, and making sure carers are seen, heard and supported at every stage of their journey.
As announced last week (LINK), we’re proud to begin the year having recently been awarded the Excellence for Carers Award by Carers Trust. This national recognition reflects the quality, impact and consistency of our work, but more importantly, it reflects the voices and experiences of carers who shape everything we do.
When the award was announced, Helen Oliver, Quality Assurance and Improvement Manager at Carers Trust said: “It’s been a privilege to see first-hand the passion and commitment of everyone at North Tyneside Carers’ Centre. This award is a well-deserved recognition of an organisation that truly puts carers at the heart of everything it does.
“The team’s creativity, resilience, and genuine care shine through in every aspect of their work – they don’t just meet expectations, they consistently go above and beyond.”
This was amazing feedback to receive and we are so proud of everyone on the team.
However, while we’re delighted to celebrate this achievement, we see it as a foundation to build on, not a finishing line.
Over the coming year, our work will focus on a few key areas that we know matter most to carers locally:
Reaching carers earlier – Many carers don’t recognise themselves as carers, or don’t seek support until they’re already under significant pressure. We’re committed to improving early identification and awareness so carers can access help sooner.
Strengthening targeted support – This includes continued focus on young carers, carers supporting someone with mental health needs, and carers facing financial pressure. We’ll keep developing practical, accessible support that responds to real-life challenges.
Supporting wellbeing, not just crisis – From peer support groups and creative activities to wellbeing information and short breaks, we want carers to feel supported as people, not just as providers of care.
Championing carers’ rights – We’ll continue to raise awareness of carers’ rights in healthcare, education and employment, helping carers to understand what they’re entitled to and how to advocate for themselves.
Supporting carers is not something any single organisation can do alone. This year, we’re prioritising stronger collaboration with local employers, schools, health services, community organisations and statutory partners. By working together, we can create a more carer-aware North Tyneside, where carers are recognised, supported and included in decisions that affect them.
We’re particularly keen to work with organisations that want to better understand the needs of carers and improve access to support.
The year ahead brings challenges, but it also brings opportunity and.whether you’re a carer, a partner organisation, an employer or a community group, we welcome the chance to work together.
Winning the Excellence for Carers Award is an honour, but our real measure of success will always be the difference we make day to day for carers and their families.
If you’d like to find out more about our work or explore opportunities to collaborate, we’d love to hear from you.
0191 2496480