Suffolk Family Carers has not one, but two nominations as finalists in the Suffolk Care Awards 2025. We will find out if either, or both are winners on 18th September at Milsoms, Kesgrave Hall at an event to celebrate excellence in care.
SAGES Mental Health Team
Our SAGES team have been nominated in the Empowering people through person-centred approaches category. This is for their contribution to Family Carer’s, providing invaluable support to those often overlooked within the health and social care sector. In accordance with our organisational values, their aim is to ensure Family Carers are visible, valued, supported and connected. Through providing personalised 1-1 support online, via telephone or face to face, as well as online workshops and a regular peer support group, they facilitate a range of options, specifically tailored to meet individual needs and keep those caring for people with mental health difficulties as supported in their role as possible.
Individual 1-1 work with advisers, has provided family carers emotional support and a space to prioritise their own strengths and goals, separate from their caring role and the needs of their cared for. Through solution focused approaches, the SAGES team enabled family carers to access a range of information, support and guidance, specifically tailored for their own unique situation and through continuous support, review and adapt as led by the family carer goals and current requirements.
Serving Suffolk Families Team
The Serving Suffolk Families (SSF) team have been nominated in the Community Engagement category. Since 2018 this team has significantly impacted the local armed forces community by supporting over 500 family carers. This personalised assistance has led to measurable improvements in their well-being and resilience, reducing family breakdown and enhancing their ability to manage caring roles effectively.
The team has established strong partnerships with local military bases and charitable organisations, fostering a collaborative approach that ensures recognition and support for carers. These partnerships have facilitated access to emotional support, resources and respite care, directly benefiting carers and their families. An often-unseen group in wider society. Beneficiary feedback highlights the positive impact of SSF’s services, with 85% of carers reporting improved mental health and 90% experiencing reduced stress levels. By listening to experiences from those they support, the project has successfully advocated for recognition of this group and their individual needs, particularly those that completed UK national service, setting a benchmark for other regions and bringing an awareness to funders. SSF’s proactive approach, attending armed forces coffee mornings, veteran’s breakfasts, armed forces base family days, has led to increased community awareness and engagement, in 2023 delivering a specific project bringing carers from the armed forces and civilian communities together to enjoy respite activities. This project not only provided valuable support but also fostered a sense of united community and solidarity among carers.
SSF interventions have not only significantly enhanced the quality of life for family carers, but by increasing support to armed forces family carers, wider families benefit and there is less demand on local welfare provision.’
Sarah Potter Mental Health & Wellbeing Service Manager at Suffolk Family Carers said
‘ We are so proud of these projects, both offering tailored support to the communities they serve to ensure family carers within them receive the support the need’.
Care Development East is proud to celebrate the impact of these initiatives and offers a huge congratulations to everyone shortlisted for the Suffolk Care Awards 2025!
