Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea has welcomed the launch of the NSW Carers Strategy which should benefit more than 850,000 carers across the state.
Mr O’Dea said, “The Strategy addresses initiatives and programs to support the state’s carers. Planning for the strategy was a collaborative effort involving carers, and reflects what they said they needed most.
“Nearly one in ten people, about 850,000 in our state, including in the Davidson electorate, are looking after a family member or a friend who has a disability, mental illness, chronic health condition or age-related frailty. Around 100,000 are young carers aged under 25,” he said.
One of the key features in the strategy is the new young carer app being developed by young carers themselves, which creates an accessible tool for young carers to self-identify and access supports. Culturally appropriate resources have also been developed for Aboriginal carers in conjunction with Aboriginal communities.
Mr O’Dea said, “Carers play an invaluable role and make an enormous contribution to our economic success. Without carers it would cost taxpayers over $40 billion to replace the unpaid work they provide.
“This strategy puts in place supports and care for our carers, and offers them the recognition they truly deserve.”
The strategy mainly focuses on:
- employment and education;
- carer health and well-being;
- information and community awareness;
- carer engagement; and
- improving the evidence base.
This shared agenda will be implemented across government in partnership with the community, private sector and non-government organisations.
“The NSW Government will now work closely with its key partners, Carers NSW and the Ministry of Health to deliver sixteen projects earmarked in the Strategy over the next five years, which includes the app development for young carers.” Mr O’Dea said.
