This week is National Carers Week. From Monday 7 until Sunday 13 June, this annual campaign celebrates the fantastic 6.5 million Carers in the UK, highlighting the challenges unpaid Carers face and recognising their contribution to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as Carers and access much-needed support.
Over the next 20 years, it’s anticipated that over 9 million people will become unpaid Carers offering support for a loved one or friend. It’s therefore vital that Carers get the help they need to look after themselves and others, and we recognise the contribution they make to their families, local communities, workplaces, and society.
A rewarding role
Caring can be hugely rewarding, but it can also be a challenging experience. Caring for a relative or friend can affect all aspects of life, from relationships and health to finances and work. Carers have faced even more difficult circumstances this last year with additional pressures due to the impact of the pandemic, and many people have taken on more caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and who need support. Whilst many feel that caring is one of the most important things they do, its challenges should not be underestimated. Caring without the correct information and support can be challenging.
It’s essential to look to tools and solutions which can help ease the pressure and lessen the burden for carers. There’s a portfolio of alarms and sensors to deliver independence with peace of mind. You can find out more here http://bit.ly/solutionstohelp
Drawing attention to just how vital a Carers role is, under the theme of ‘Make Caring Visible and Valued’, this year’s campaign is brought to life by thousands of individuals and organisations who are coming together to provide support for Carers, run activities and highlight the vital role Carers play.
Throughout the week, online and face-to-face events will be taking place across the UK as a way of saying thank you. From sending Bloom & Wild flowers to a Carer, to Keynote Speaker Yvonne Newbold MBE, who will be talking about her experiences of being a parent carer of a child and adult with violent and challenging behaviour, there are lots of exciting activities going on around the country.
For more information on what’s happening where you live and how to get involved, visit www.carersweek.org/?cmp=activity
For those who want to participate online, there is also the dedicated hashtag #CarersWeek
This week is all about showing Carers the support they need and say, quite simply, thank you.
