Last month, Forward Carers were delighted to welcome Richard Parker, the Mayor of the West Midlands, to explain how new funding through the Big Issue’s social investment arm has extended services for people who are trying to balance caring with everyday life.
The investment into Forward Carers is one of the first to be confirmed through the partnership, which has already reached its first milestone with £500,000 secured for four social impact businesses.
Alongside Forward Carers, Jericho Foundation, Ordinary Magic and Legacy West Midlands will use the investment to tackle poverty and inequality while creating local jobs.
This support is more important than ever, with new national figures showing that more than a million unpaid Carers have had to quit their jobs in the past two years because they struggled to carry on working.
During his visit, the Mayor met Carer Alun Richards, from Walsall, who was a nurse with the NHS before becoming a full-time Carer for his wife.
He also spoke with Marilyn Beattie, from Stourbridge, who left her job with a pharmaceutical company to care for her husband, after he was diagnosed with dementia.
Both say their lives are now much better because of the support from Forward Carers.
The Mayor said:
“Thousands of unpaid carers like Alun and Marilyn quietly go about their responsibilities with a selfless commitment that should be recognised, not penalised by locking them out of opportunities.
Many of the staff and volunteers I met at Forward Carers have been Carers themselves, so they understand the barriers people face when someone else relies so on them for support. It’s why we’ve worked with Big Issue Invest to give Foward Carers more resources so they can provide a lifeline to more people across this region.
All the social impact businesses we’re helping through this partnership are a part of our economy that should not be underestimated. People and purpose are at their heart. I want to use my funding and influence to help them get the finance they need to grow and improve even more lives in the way they’ve helped Alun and Marilyn. It’s what I mean by ‘growth for everyone’.”
Simon Fenton, CEO at Forward Carers, reflected on the visit:
“It was fantastic to welcome the Mayor and highlight how social investment can help Forward Carers grow sustainably while increasing our social impact across the West Midlands.
Unpaid Carers make an enormous contribution, often balancing work, family life and caring responsibilities. Big Issue Invest’s support will help us extend that impact with the acquisition of Max Card, a discount scheme that means families can enjoy more affordable days out and valuable time together.”
Carer Support in Action
The visit was particularly impactful in showcasing the realities of life as an unpaid Carer, and the benefits which support can offer.
Speaking with the Mayor, Carer Alun explained some of the challenges:
“My wife became ill about 20 years ago and eventually had to leave her job. It’s a chronic condition, so there are days when she needs a lot of care and days she doesn’t need so much.”
“It had a massive effect on our lives, especially when our two children were growing up. They took on the role of young Carers and I tried to make sure they didn’t miss out on their childhood. Family and friends were also happy to help.”
“When I eventually had to give up work myself to care for her full time, we went from two wages to no wage and that hit us financially. There’s also the social isolation and the benefits system is tricky and stressful to navigate.”
“I was proud to be a nurse but it can hit you hard when it’s suddenly you on the receiving end of care. Forward Carers have been really good. As well as the advice there’s also peer support. I go to a men’s group where we chat about football and music, help each other, and there’s also days out too.”
Marilyn echoed the impact caring can have on someone’s life, and emphasised the importance of reaching out for support:
“It can get very, very lonely because if you’re living with someone that you’re caring for who’s got dementia, you’re not getting any meaningful communication with them. It’s very easy to reach a crisis point and not know where to go. My husband’s in care now but it doesn’t end because I still go in and see him every day and it’s costing a lot of money.”
“People who care for their loved one need to be recognised earlier. My advice is to get in touch with Forward Carers or your local carers hub and just to talk to them. They can identify what your needs are. Everyone is very supportive and they’re there if you need them. Sometimes you just need someone to talk to.”
Increasing Support
The Mayor’s West Midlands Growth Plan includes support for the region’s social impact economy. This is the collective term for social enterprises, co-operatives, community-owned businesses and trading charities that trade for good rather than for profit.
The Plan recognises the social and economic value of the region’s 9,500 social impact businesses.
Collectively they employ more than 100,000 people, help improve the lives of millions more, and generate £14 billion a year for the regional economy.
These organisations play a vital role in supporting local communities, but the region has historically received less social investment than other parts of the UK.
The Mayor is changing that by using West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) funding to co-fund a dedicated social investment manager for the region, along with Big Issue Invest.
Big Issue Invest is working with purpose-led organisations to help them understand and access the finance that is available to them, and to develop a pipeline of this type of investment into the region.
They have also committed its own funding to the initiative.
The partnership is on target to unlock £1 million of new finance into the region’s social impact business and charities to help tackle poverty and inequalities, while creating local jobs.
The other three organisations to secure new investment through the partnership are:
- Jericho Foundation, based in Birmingham, provides training in practical trade skills like carpentry alongside real-world work experience for people facing extreme challenges in getting a job with a focus on marginalised people experiencing homelessness, young people, and survivors of modern slavery.
- Ordinary Magic improves the emotional wellbeing of children, young people and their families in Solihull through play therapy, school reintegration support and SEND advocacy.
- Legacy West Midlands runs arts, sports and cultural activities that promote good physical and mental health and unite people living in diverse communities in north Birmingham, alongside helping people find and retain jobs and housing.
The West Midlands Big Issue Invest partnership can be contacted by emailing Tom Bostock at tom.bostock@bigissueinvest.com.
