Over 25 unpaid carers put money questions to a free Grace Cares panel in Lichfield. The session runs again online on 21 October, 9.30am to 10.15am.

More than 25 unpaid carers from across the Lichfield district put their money worries to a panel of financial experts on Monday 21 September, at a free Care Club session run by Grace Cares at The Cathedral Hotel. Carers who missed it can join the same panel online on Wednesday 21 October, from 9.30am to 10.15am, free of charge.

Grace Cares is a not-for-profit community interest company based in Lichfield. It gives pre-loved care equipment a second life and supports people who look after others, and it runs the district’s Find My Loved One dementia wristband scheme. Nobody on the panel was paid: the organisation says its accountant gave up his own time to chair the morning, and there was nothing on sale.

What the carers asked about

The morning session, chaired by John Moore of Fruition Accountancy, covered the questions carers bring to Grace Cares most often, according to its press release:

  • Carer’s Allowance and other benefits
  • Attendance Allowance and PIP
  • managing on a reduced income
  • protecting savings and the family home
  • understanding care costs
  • Power of Attorney and wills
  • funding equipment, adaptations and respite care

The panel, Greg Palethorpe of Bowbrook Financial Planners and Ashley Reeves of Four Oaks Financial Services, took questions from the floor and questions sent in anonymously beforehand. They then stayed on for one to one conversations over tea and coffee.

Carers seated in rows facing the financial panel at the front of a room at The Cathedral Hotel, with a Grace Cares banner and a screen reading Next: Financial Panel
The Care Club session at The Cathedral Hotel, with the financial panel taking questions. Photo: supplied by Grace Cares

Why money, and why now

The session was planned because carers asked for it. Grace Cares collects feedback at every Care Club and through an annual survey, and it says financial and legal support has consistently been one of the most requested topics, with carers asking for it face to face and more often.

Hannah Montgomery, co-founder of Grace Cares, said:

“Carers tell us money is one of the biggest worries they carry, and often the one they’re least likely to ask about. There are around 5.7 million unpaid carers in the UK, saving the economy an estimated £184 billion a year, yet many are missing out on support. Today was about changing that. Seeing people leave with clear next steps, and knowing who to call, is exactly why Care Club exists.”

John Moore of Fruition Accountancy, who chaired the panel, said:

“People caring for a loved one often put their own financial wellbeing last. As an accountant, I know that money worries can quickly become overwhelming when people are also dealing with the emotional and practical pressures of caring. My message is simple: don’t struggle in silence, ask questions, understand what support is available and seek advice as early as possible.”

What it means for you

If you look after a relative, partner, friend or neighbour without being paid for it, the October repeat is the easiest way to hear the same panel without leaving the house.

  • Online Care Club: Wednesday 21 October, 9.30am to 10.15am. Free. Register here.
  • Face to face Care Club sessions: sign up on the Grace Cares unpaid carers page, email hello@grace-cares.com or call 01543 730189.
  • The same page lists Grace Cares’ Unpaid Caregiver Grants, which help towards the cost of care equipment.