ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has launched new guidance today to support the UK’s 6.5 million unpaid carers, who are helping elderly, ill, or vulnerable friends and relatives.
The guidance helps retailers and colleagues working in local shops to identify unpaid carers, and recommends ways to support them both in-store and through delivery services.
Some of the recommendations for retailers looking to further support unpaid carers include:
- Minimise queueing wherever possible for carers shopping with vulnerable customers who may be unable to stand for long periods of time
- Ensure the in-store environment is as welcoming and accessible as possible for all types of customers
- Explicitly include carers in any ‘priority access’ hours you may provide to customers
- Consider joining a Local Carer Scheme
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Unpaid carers provide absolutely crucial support for people in communities across the UK, and they often rely on local shops to get essential groceries. During this pandemic and beyond, it’s important that local shops do everything possible to make it easier for carers to buy groceries with, and for, those that they’re looking after. We hope that this new guidance will give retailers reassurance about the measures that they can take to help the UK’s 6.5 million unpaid carers.”
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:“Being able to access food quickly and easily has been especially important to unpaid carers during this pandemic. Many are managing trips to the shops around their caring role for someone who is older, disabled or seriously ill, as well as other responsibilities such as paid work and childcare. It is a lot to juggle.
“We are delighted that this Carers Week ACS is helping to make the shopping experience easier for carers by thinking about their needs and this move will be welcomed by carers around the country.”
Defra, the government department which leads on supporting the food industry, has been working with the ACS to ensure that those who are vulnerable get the support they need in accessing food and other essential supplies, recognising the critical role that convenience stores play in local communities.
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, local shops have stepped up to provide over 600,000 home deliveries a week in their communities, as well as making it easier for volunteers to shop for those who are isolating through measures like accepting card not present transactions.
The full Supporting Unpaid Carers guide is available here: https://bit.ly/ACSunpaidcarersguidance
