- 34% of unpaid carers said their mental health was bad or very bad
- Nearly a third of unpaid carers (32%) said they felt lonely often or always
There are hundreds of thousands of unpaid carers across Wales providing care for an ill, older or disabled family members or friends. However, a recent survey by Carers Wales has found that unpaid carers are struggling with the demands of caring.
Many of us use technology in our everyday lives, but seven out of ten people don’t think of technology when it comes to caring for family or friends. Carers Wales is pleased to be working with Welsh Government to explore the use of technology to reduce pressure on unpaid carers.
Jointly was developed by Carers UK and designed in consultation with unpaid carers. It is an innovative mobile and online app designed to support carers. It makes caring a little easier, less stressful and a lot more organised.
It combines group messaging and to-do lists with other useful features, including medication lists, calendars and more. Jointly makes communication and coordination between those who share the care as easy as a text message.
Carers Wales, with support from Welsh Government, has recently launched a promotional campaign to encourage carers to access the Jointly App, available in English and Welsh.
Providing unpaid care is rarely a solo activity and requires multiple people, often in different households, to co-ordinate care needs. The Jointly App is a single point of contact that can store medical records, appointments, medication needs and schedules and facilitate communication in one shared place. The app is available on phone, tablet and personal computer with real time updating and unlimited group sizing.
The launch of this promotional campaign underpins Welsh Government’s commitment within the Carers Strategy 2021, to explore how the use of technology can support carers and those they care for.
On launching the promotional campaign, Julie Morgan MS, Deputy Minister for Social Services said:
“It is fantastic that Carers UK have produced the Jointly App. We live in an online world and the pandemic highlighted the importance of online access to information, support and services across health and social care. Unpaid carers often have to juggle multiple tasks at the same time and this single online tool will contain all the important caring information they need in one place. I encourage all unpaid carers in Wales to use the app so they can benefit from the support available.”
Claire Morgan, Carers Wales Director said:
“The pandemic followed by the cost-of-living crisis is putting huge pressure on unpaid carers to sustain their caring responsibilities. We are pleased to be working with Welsh Government on various ways to ensure carers receive the support they need, including utilizing technology. Our Jointly App enables carers to share their responsibilities with others. It helps carers more easily communicate critical information with others in the care circle about the person being cared for”.
The Jointly App is available to download on Apple and Android devices through their respective App stores or can be purchased onto PC from Jointlyapp.com Jointly App is a one-off purchase of £2.99 connected to the nominated person in need of care. There is no requirement for additional payment for multiple people to use the App after the initial payment.
See more here in English: Jointly video English or Welsh: Jointly video Welsh
