A discount card, which recognises and rewards the support unpaid carers provide to their neighbours, friends and loved ones, has been updated.
One talented teen gave the young carers card a colourful makeover, whilst older carers helped to influence the design of the adult carers card. Durham County Carers Support have also worked hard to negotiate a host of new discounts.
The County Durham and Darlington Carers Card, developed in partnership with Durham County Council, the region’s NHS clinical commissioning groups and Darlington Borough Council, offers carers discounts and concessions at retail and leisure venues throughout County Durham and Darlington.
Following recognition that two cards were needed, one for adults and one for young carers, talented designer and young carer, Harry Croft, used his art and ICT skills to update the design of the young carers card to make it more appealing for young people to use.
Seventeen-year-old Harry, from Durham, receives support from The Bridge Young Carers Project for people aged 5 to 18 years old. He was presented with his finalised card design in celebration of January’s Carers Awareness Day and will use the design as part of his college portfolio.
Cllr Olwyn Gunn, Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “Harry has done a fantastic job refreshing the young carers card. Hopefully the new, colourful design will encourage young carers to use the scheme and take advantage of the fantastic offers available to them.”
In the month leading up to the relaunch of the carers card, Durham County Carers Support service, which offers advice and practical assistance to adults in an unpaid caring role, contacted dozens of local shops, cafes and businesses throughout County Durham and Darlington, to inspire them to join the scheme. Twenty-two new businesses got involved, bringing the total number of organisations offering discounts to 103.
Cllr Angela Surtees, Cabinet member for social inclusion, said: “Looking after a loved one can have a big impact on someone’s finances, so it’s great that unpaid carers are able to access these discounts and concessions.
“As part of the refresh of the card, the scheme’s website has also been updated so it’s now much easier for unpaid carers to search a wide range of offers, from home improvements to driving lessons, and from beauty treatments to food offers.”
More information about the discount scheme, including a list of organisations offering discounts, is available at www.durhamcarers.info/carerscard
To apply for a card, or to find out more about the support available to adults with a caring role, carers can contact Durham County Carers Support on 0300 005 1213, or by email at admin@dccarers.org
Young carers, aged 5 to 18, can apply for a card and find out more about the support available to them, by contacting The Bridge Young Carer’s Service on 0191 383 2520 or by emailing durhamyoungcarers@family-action.org.uk
