New service to support Swindon’s unpaid carers

Cornwall Rural Community Charity (CRCC), which has 30 years’ experience in supporting carers across the country, will provide support to around 5,000 adult, parent and young unpaid carers in Swindon and will take over from existing provider, Swindon Carers Centre, from the start of next year (January 2026).

This will include enhanced online support and a wide variety of face-to-face support opportunities as part of a comprehensive all-age support service.

Many of the staff employed by Swindon Carers Centre will transfer over to the new provider ensuring carers continue to receive support from staff who they know and who are part of the local community.

Swindon Carers Centre, who have supported unpaid carers in Swindon for 28 years, are working in partnership with CRCC and Swindon Borough Council to ensure there is continuity of support for unpaid carers in Swindon.

CRCC has a strong track record of supporting unpaid carers and will be working with the caring community of Swindon to co-design the service and to come up with a new name.

A carer is anyone who provides unpaid care for a friend or family member due to an illness, disability, poor mental health or an addiction.

The care they provide is unpaid, and should not be confused with the role of employed support workers or personal care assistants. Carers may or may not live with the person they care for, and may provide a wide variety of practical and/or emotional support.

The impact of caring is vast and can impact on a carer’s physical, emotional and financial wellbeing, with adult carers, young carers and parent carers all being impacted in different ways and, as a result, requiring different support.

As part of the new service, carers will be supported to build connections across their communities that they will be able to turn to for support, for example family, friends, and opportunities in their communities.

The charity will also support carers to make individual choices about the services they wish to receive building on the strengths of carers. The service will include a mix of face-to-face and online support, and this can include things like gardening community groups or repair cafes.

Councillor Ray Ballman, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Unpaid carers do an amazing job and I’m really pleased they will continue to receive the support they deserve for their role in caring for some of the Borough’s most vulnerable people.

“I’m really pleased that many of the staff who have supported our unpaid carers will stay on with the new provider ensuring there is real continuity and plenty of friendly and familiar faces with great local knowledge.

“I’d like to place on record my thanks to Swindon Carers Centre for the support they have provided to carers in Swindon for many years and we will be working closely with them to ensure a smooth transition to the new provider over the coming months.”

Katherine Nissen, CEO of CRCC, said: “CRCC is excited to bring a wealth of experience and innovative approaches, honed over decades of dedicated service, directly to Swindon.

“We understand that change can be a challenging and complicated process, particularly when it concerns essential support services. We want to offer our sincerest reassurance to carers in Swindon that we are listening, and we are genuinely keen to build strong, trust-based relationships with each and every one of Swindon’s carers.

“We believe that carers are at the centre of everything we do. This deep-seated conviction drives our every action, ensuring our services are always tailored to empower and uplift those who dedicate themselves to caring for their loved ones.

“We look forward to developing and growing this essential provision in close collaboration and genuine partnership with Swindon Borough Council and, most importantly, with the carers of Swindon.”

Claire Smith, Charity Director at Swindon Carers Centre, said: “After careful consideration, the Trustees made the decision not to submit a bid for the continuation of the local authority contract. This means that at the end of 2025, support services for carers will transition to CRCC, supported by the Council.

“Swindon Carers Centre (SCC) has proudly worked with carers in Swindon over the past 28 years. It has been a genuine privilege to work alongside and support so many dedicated carers, staff, volunteers and partners throughout this time.

“We wish CRCC every success as they take on this vital role. SCC is committed to ensuring a smooth, thorough and professional handover. It is a great comfort to know that carers in Swindon will continue to have access to a dedicated and supportive service.”