Supporting Carers Through the Winter Pressures
As the frost begins to settle and the nights draw in, Winter Carer Support becomes more important than ever. At Bridgit Care, we understand the extra challenges unpaid family carers face during the colder months. It is a time when the warmth of support matters just as much as the warmth of a home.
That’s why we’re pleased to be working with the West Midlands Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) to support carers across the region — and why we invite other Councils and ADASS groups to join us in offering stronger Winter Carer Support in their own communities.
Why is Extra Support Imperative This Winter?
The cold weather brings far more than a drop in temperature. It increases healthcare needs, raises living costs, and can leave carers feeling isolated. These pressures make Winter Carer Support essential. Here are some of the challenges unpaid carers face during winter:
Health Concerns: Colder weather can worsen long-term conditions, meaning carers often provide even more support.
Increased Costs: Higher heating bills create extra financial strain for households already under pressure.
Mobility Issues: Icy paths and poor weather make it harder for carers to access essential services and community support.
Mental Health: Shorter days and darker evenings can lead to loneliness, stress and low mood.
Strained Healthcare System: Seasonal illnesses place additional stress on healthcare services, leading to longer waits and delayed care.
These pressures highlight why Winter Carer Support must be accessible, reliable and easy to use.
Bridgit's Winter Support Package
To ease these pressures, Bridgit Care is providing a free, tailored “Light Touch” version of our support service to selected Councils across the winter months. Our package includes:
WhatsApp Coaches: Available 24/7, offering personalised support with wellbeing, finances, employment, respite, home care and daily challenges.
Self-Help Access & Email Courses: Twenty-five carer support modules delivered through simple and supportive emails.
Virtual Carers Card: A free ID card offering national discounts, provided with our partner Forward Carers.
Emergency “What If” Plan: A quick and accessible online tool that helps carers create and share contingency plans with family and professionals.
How We Deliver Our Solution
We take a careful, structured approach to ensure every region receives the right support:
Knowledge Integration: Our AI is updated with accurate information from council websites and key local sources.
Service Discovery: The AI automatically finds and promotes local events and services, linking to national directories when needed.
Custom Link & Branding: Each region receives a personalised link and optional branding to reflect its identity.
Promotion: Councils receive communication packs, including leaflets, posters, website copy and social media content.
Analytics: Monthly reports offer insights into engagement levels, common challenges and opportunities for improvement.
What Do Councils Need to Do?
Getting started is simple:
Initial Setup: Validate a short Excel sheet containing local services, support information and branding details.
Ongoing Promotion: To maximise the impact of the platform, Councils should promote it through their websites, community networks, primary care partners and, if possible, targeted advertisements.
Want to get involved?
Are you part of a council or ADASS group outside the West Midlands? Bridgit Care welcomes you to join us in offering stronger Winter Carer Support. By integrating our personalised, AI-driven tools, your region can give carers the help they need to manage winter pressures — improving wellbeing, reducing financial strain and widening access to essential services. If your area would like to join this initiative, simply contact us or book a meeting with the Bridgit Care team. Together, we can create a connected network of support that ensures no carer faces winter alone.
Stay connected, stay supported — with Bridgit Care.