People who regularly look after a family member or friend can now explore resources to support them online and, during Carers Week, can join a free, guided experience to see how it works.
Bridgit, to be launched during Carers Week, is an online tool that allows people to explore free wellbeing, employment, finance and care advice and events, local and national support services and training opportunities. People can also build their own ‘self-care plan’. It’s all available any time of day and without registering first.
While registering as a carer unlocks more support, a listening ear, offers and discounts, we recognise people can be worried about the offer of outside help. With Bridgit, people can discover the resources first, then sign up for more support if they choose to and this can include an online carer’s assessment.
Designed by carers and care experts, Bridgit resources are specifically tailored to the busy and often stressful lives of people who regularly care for others. It is also designed to be user-friendly with simple navigation and a clean layout, so people can explore comfortably even with limited digital skills.
The free guided experience takes place on Thursday 8 June at 12 midday and last 30 minutes. It’s online and hosted by Bridgit founder, Darren Crombie a healthcare professional whose grandfather is the inspiration behind Bridgit.
Book your place at the session via eventbrite.
The launch of Bridgit is just one of many events taking place across Dorset for Carers Week, from 5 June. The week also sees the launch of the refreshed and revitalised Carers Card, celebration events for existing carers, walk and talks, art therapy, and drop-ins for everyone. Visit the Our Dorset website to discover all the events taking place.
Cllr Jane Somper, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, said: “Bridgit is an exciting and important step for the council to encourage more people who care for others to access the free support they are entitled to. To have shaped Bridgit with local expert input has been excellent and I encourage anyone who is or thinks they may be a carer, to join the event or simply explore Bridgit for themselves.”
Darren Crombie, founder of Bridgit, said: “Getting help for carers who do an invaluable but often unseen job, unpaid, is at the centre of everything we do. Working with carers and care professionals in Dorset has been a great experience for us and I hope this truly local online tool encourages people to sign up as a carer and get all the support available.”
Bridgit is available to use now and people who prefer not to, or cannot go online, can call Carer Support Dorset on 0800 368 8349 to discover the free support and help available.
Are there plans to expand Bridgit beyond Dorset and make it accessible to carers in other regions or countries?
Hello, Bridgit is an online tool we have bought into to create our own Dorset version. Other areas of the UK also have theirs. You can find out more on our provider’s website.