Carer Connect
Supporting Unpaid Carers with trusted information, advice & personalised services
WHAT IS CARER CONNECT?
Carer Connect is a new and innovative digital approach, supporting unpaid carers with their own health and wellbeing, as well as services specific to their caring roles. Co-produced with unpaid carers across South Yorkshire, Carer Connect combines a secure website with a range of unpaid carer focused services, with a digital assistant that’s available 24/7 and blends information and advice from hundreds of relevant trusted sources to support enquiries and conversations.
MAIN OBJECTIVES
Engage, listen and co-produce a relevant digital solution with unpaid carers to deliver what they want and need
Give the 140,000+ unpaid carers across South Yorkshire one place to find trusted, comprehensive, accurate and immediate advice to support them and the people they care for
Help unpaid carers navigate the system more easily, with functionality that enables them to reduce their mental load and feel in control
Bring key services together in one place, from available respite care options and national discount card schemes, to local events, groups and learning opportunities
FEATURES
Service consolidates all key information into one platform
Ability to access details on respite breaks and opportunities
Carers can see available events and groups near to where they live
Carer discount schemes/benefits brought together in one place
Multilingual and auto-translating capabilities
Built in safeguarding alerts
Integration with Care Directory and/or Local Offer
Connection to a member of staff when needed
BENEFITS
Co-designed with councils and unpaid carers
Available 24/7, 365 days a week
ISO 42001 accredited service
Bespoke AI model, with content curation decided by clients
Available via WhatsApp, one of the most popular UK communication channels
Hundreds of conversations managed simultaneously
CARER CONNECT WEBSITE
Combining the key personalised services requested by unpaid carers.
- ‘Share My Story’: the ability to collate all the relevant details, events, health and care updates pertinent to the person they are caring for, as well as themselves, and securely share that with health & care professionals
- Respite Care: Bringing together local and national respite options and eligibility criteria in a comprehensive and clear way
- Unpaid Carer Discount Schemes: Helping unpaid carers understand the different discount options available to them both locally and nationally, with the ability to compare and apply
- Personalised alerts around specific services, local events and groups as well as information on specific conditions, wellbeing services and more
COUNCIL SPECIFIC DIGITAL ASSISTANTS
Barney (Barnsley Council), Donnie (Doncaster Council), Ricky (Rotherham Council) & Sophie (Sheffield City Council) have been developed with each council’s unpaid carer service to bring together hundreds of trusted sources of information and advice, from their own websites, experts, services, leaflets as well as local, regional and national partners. Unpaid Carers in South Yorkshire are now able to access this comprehensive information resource via WhatsApp and online. They are able to ask questions of this rich content in their own way and in any language – essentially we allow people to have a conversation with curated, trusted information and advice. From questions about carer allowance to how to use a hoist, Barney, Donnie, Ricky & Sophie are available 24/7 to help.
USER ENGAGEMENT AND FEEDBACK
User group sessions with unpaid carers helped to shape the build and structure of Carer Connect, with the following feedback discussed and baked into the tool:
“Everything in one place easy to find”
“To know the information is correct and up to date”
“Contact details for all organisations and what they actually do”
“Being able to access advice and help 24 hours a day”
“One centred place, rather than being passed around like a library book”
“Clear information and guide to support available”
“Live chat function to ask questions regarding processes and seeking guidance”
“What is available locally such as respite and things to do where I could take my cared for loved one to as well”
“To be able to get advice and support that is appropriate for someone like me who works full time Monday- Friday”
“Access to guidance and support about navigating benefits, allowances and entitlements”
“A section where you can ask questions, get digital help, it could signpost you, very quickly, not waiting 3 weeks for a response”
“Local groups and information where I live”
“AI advice chat”
“WhatsApp”
“To be able to get answers promptly”
TECHNICAL PARTNER
Bullet Digital Solutions is an AI ISO 42001 accredited, UK based company, specialising in web application development and digital transformation services. They help businesses improve efficiency by simplifying complex workflows and building customised web applications. Their team of experienced consultants has a strong track record of delivering solutions in various sectors, including the public sector, healthcare, and finance. Bullet has been working with AI and developing services for the public sector, with AI services live across both Adult Social Care and Public Health.
