Unpaid carers in Devon are being given free access to leisure centres as part of a local authority-run pilot.
Many unpaid carers are having to prioritise their spending because of the cost-of-living crisis, and some are choosing not to spend on exercise or activities away from their caring roles.
In order to encourage unpaid carers to stay active, Devon County Council and Mid Devon District Council will provide them with free access to three leisure centres.
Cllr James McInnes, the Devon County Council cabinet member responsible for adult carers support, said: ‘We are concerned that with the financial impact of the pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis, thousands of unpaid carers are needing to prioritise what they spend their budgets on. And as a result, they’re putting their own health and wellbeing on the back burner.
‘That’s a problem. We know that regular exercise and opportunities away from their caring roles are vital to people’s physical and mental health. And that in turn impacts on their ability to continue their caring role.’
Cllr Dennis Knowles, Mid Devon District Council’s cabinet member for Community Well Being, said: ‘We know there are many people in our district who will be facing financial hardship, yet will be doing their upmost to support those they care for. This is our way to support them and ensure they have access to high quality leisure facilities, enabling them to exercise freely and boost their own physical and mental wellbeing.’
