Building a Better Future for Carers
Across Greater Manchester, thousands of people step into the role of carer every year –often unexpectedly – when a loved one is discharged from hospital. For many, this transition is overwhelming, marked by uncertainty, emotional strain, and a lack of tailored support.
Recognising this, the Greater Manchester system launched the Hospital Discharge Project in late 2024, made possible by the Accelerating Reform Fund (GM ARF). The Hospital Discharge Project aims to ensure carers are identified, supported, and included as partners in care from the moment hospital discharge planning begins.
About the ARF Consortium
The ARF consortium is a collaborative partnership that brings together a diverse group of providers: the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, NHS trusts, local authorities, and the Assistant Directors of Adult Social Services from across Greater Manchester.
This collective works to drive innovation and improvement in adult social care, focusing on accelerating reform and delivering better outcomes for people who draw on care and support, as well as their families and carers. By pooling expertise and resources, the consortium is able to take a holistic, joined-up approach to tackling the challenges faced by carers and those they support.
Early Progress and Achievements
Frontline teams are already seeing the impact.
Ellie Herbert, who has supported carers from initial contact through to ongoing support in Rochdale, describes:
“I’ve had carers that were completely isolated, that had care packages in place for the cared-for when they went home, but felt like they couldn’t leave the cared-for to go and meet other people or come to any events. We did work with them, invited them to events so they could bring both themselves and the cared-for, and made it accessible for both. One carer was adamant they couldn’t come, but now they actually come to most of the events—they go to coffee and chats, book clubs, lunches. They even reunited with a stroke support group they thought had ended during COVID.”
Isobel Johnson reflects on the readiness of hospital staff to engage, even in the early days:
“I did a ward walkthrough last week and there were already staff on the wards willing to cooperate, signposting me to people they’d identified as carers, even before I explained my job role. It’s encouraging to see so many colleagues keen to work together to make a difference for carers.”
She also highlights the challenges which arise from client-facing staff who are incredibly busy supporting individuals on wards and in community settings:
“On inpatient wards with very quick turnaround, it can be difficult to pinpoint staff to speak to. Sometimes, staff are concerned about additional workload, but our aim is to make things easier for everyone in the long term.”
Tunde Oni, new to the hospital team, adds:
“The staff are very busy, so they don’t have much time on their hands, even though we have a carer champion on the ward. Part of the programme is to have carer champions who are meant to be identifying carers, but they’re busy. Sometimes, if I’m there today, I might not be there tomorrow, and the champions are not always able to identify them. I’m giving out leaflets, making people aware of the service, but it’s early days—maybe there’s still a barrier, or people just want to read the leaflet and think about it.”
Ellie notes that persistence pays off, even when staff are initially hesitant:
“When I first went in and introduced the project, there were some concerns about whether it would add to the workload. But by working together and showing the benefits for carers and staff alike, we’re seeing more colleagues come on board.”
Key Achievements
The GM ARF Hospital Discharge Project has already achieved several important milestones across Greater Manchester:
- Steering groups have been established in each area, fostering strong partnerships between local authorities, hospitals, and community organisations.
- Carers themselves are being actively engaged and consulted, ensuring that their voices and experiences help shape the services on offer.
- In addition, hospital staff are receiving training to better identify and support carers at the point of discharge, and new information materials and referral pathways are being rolled out.
These efforts are already resulting in more carers being identified earlier, receiving emotional support, and being included in discharge planning—helping them feel more confident and less isolated during a critical transition period.
Jill Morgan highlights how support extends beyond the hospital stay:
“Her health’s been sort of neglected and affected by the whole situation because he’s been in hospital for weeks and weeks and it has been really draining for her. So now, with respite for her husband, she can do something for herself.”
She also describes the practical support offered:
“Another gentleman… his wife had four strokes, one after the other… He was having trouble with the discharge process, lack of communication, getting the equipment to them, to the home, even though she was supposedly ready for discharge. So it was just liaison with me in the hospital, listening to his concerns, sort of trying to advocate a little bit on his behalf.”
For carers with little or no family support, simple tools can be life-changing:
“He felt that the emergency carer’s card gave him a bit of peace of mind. If something happened to him, what would she do? Knowing that there would be another option and she wouldn’t be left by herself if something was to happen to him—that was good.”
Carers Week 2025
Carers Week took place between 9th to 15th June, and was a time to celebrate these early achievements. While Carers Week was a great success, we know only too well that unpaid carers do what they do 365 days of the year.
As the GM ARF Hospital Discharge Project continues to roll out, the hope is that the partnerships, learning, and new ways of working will leave a lasting legacy for carers across Greater Manchester. By embedding carer support at the heart of hospital discharge, we can ensure that no carer feels alone at this critical time.
Whilst Carers Week was an important opportunity to raise awareness of the issues experienced by unpaid carers, Greater Manchester acknowledge the vital contributions of unpaid carers all day, every day.
There is still much to be done, but we join our partners in celebrating the progress made so far in Greater Manchester to support carers at every stage of their journey—from hospital discharge to community-based respite and beyond.
