New digital support tool, called ‘Bridgit’ provides quick and easy aid to unpaid carers of family members or friends
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council has partnered with Bridgit Care to provide a free online support tool for all carers across the West Midlands.
Screenshot of the homepage of Bridgit Care site
The Brigit site offers carers much-needed advice, information and tailored online support. They can learn about topics of interest and access a personalised support plan based on those areas where they need help. The site can also connect carers to local services, dedicated 24/7 self-help support and virtual coaches.
It has been designed to help anyone relied on by a friend, neighbour or family member due to a disability, serious illness, frailty or addiction.
Carers can quickly and easily learn about health conditions, get personal advice and find local events and services through the site. They simply click the categories of interest on the homepage – such as ‘respite care’, ‘carers allowance’, or ‘hospital admission’ – and then click ‘get support’. The site then provides trusted advice and guidance, backed by the council’s Dudley Carers Hub.
Information is also available in a range of different languages; users simply check the ‘Select language’ drop-down in the footer of the homepage, with translation powered by Google Translate.
The social enterprise Bridgit Care aims to help unpaid carers and council clients across the UK. Supported by both local and national government, it partners with the NHS, carer charities and councils to broaden and improve support provision, while at the same time freeing up time so that teams can focus on the areas that deliver the greatest social impact.
Emma, a family carer who has used the Brigit site, says: ‘I’ve looked after my mother-in-law for over 10 years. I’ve had challenges and along the way and it’s not always been easy to find all the information and support I need. This tool brings everything together in one place and provides me with ongoing support specific to my situation. If I need extra help, it can signpost me to it. Why not try it for yourself?’
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