Care for the Carers is the leading charity in East Sussex supporting people who look after someone who could not manage without their help. This Carers Rights Day the theme is ‘know your rights, use your rights’, and the charity is asking people if they believe every carer should have the right to a warm and safe home this winter?

They are seeking support for the 20,000 plus carers who are living in poverty here, in East Sussex, through their matched giving appeal. Carers like Sarah.1

Sarah has been caring for her elderly mother, who has dementia, for several years. Over the years the support that her mother has needed has increased, and it has got to a point where Sarah has had to give up more of her time to care for her, reducing her working hours and moving in with her. With less money coming in, she is worried about rising costs and how she is going to be able to afford to heat their home, so her mum can stay warm and safe over the winter. She thinks about this every day, she didn’t know what to do, or where to turn.

“In previous winters we needed the heating on all winter long, but I don’t think that can happen this year.  There is no way we’ll be able to afford it.”

Care for the Carers Winter Warmer appeal

Sarah is one of thousands of carers who are struggling locally this winter and are often forced to make the choice between basic necessities such as whether to eat or heat their homes. 

Care for the Carers Winter Warmer workshops are delivered by their Carer Money Matters programme, and provide simple, practical solutions that enable carers like Sarah to keep their homes warm and safe over the winter months.

They provide carers with financial support, free energy-saving resources, and access to vital grants, plus the opportunity to connect with others in the same situation and reduce loneliness and isolation. 

Sarah says, “I've felt at my lowest ebb.  You have shown me that there is light, that there is help out there.  I can't thank you enough.” 

How the Public Can Help 

Care for the Carers is calling on East Sussex residents to be the warmth behind the care this Winter and fund these vital workshops. 

• £15 provides free transport and a hot drink for an isolated carer to attend one of the workshops
• £30 covers the cost of one carer to attend a life changing Winter Warmer workshop and receive a free home insulation bundle
• £80 covers the cost of hot drinks and transport for up to 50 isolated carers to attend a Winter Warmer workshop
• £250 covers the full cost of one Winter Warmer workshop, enabling up to 50 carers in financial need to receive vital support, free resources, and reduce their isolation.

"We know that there will be so many carers struggling financially this Winter, but we also know that there are simple ways to support them which can be the difference between them having a warm and safe home over the winter months or not. We are hugely grateful to the Aviva Community Fund for recognising the needs of unpaid carers and supporting the Winter Warmer appeal. It means that any donation made, up to £250, will be matched by them, so that your support can go twice as far.”  Jennifer Twist, CEO of Care for the Carers. 

Donate Today 

To support the Winter Warmer appeal, and have your donation matched visit 

https://avivacommunityfund.co.uk/p/winterwarmer25

If you look after someone who could not manage without your help and would like support with financial challenges then you can get in touch with Care for the Carers 'Carer Money Matters' Project by emailing info@cftc.org.uk or tel. 01323 738390. 

[1] Case study disclaimer: Sarah's story paints a picture of what many carers in East Sussex are experiencing, it has been based on a number of carers experiences and compiled to protect the identities of the carers who are in difficult circumstances and benefit from our service.