Carers Week is 7 – 13 June. It’s an annual campaign to recognise the vital contribution of carers and help them get the support they need to care for a loved one. Carers don’t choose to become carers, and many don’t even see themselves as carers. This year’s campaign is about making carers valued.
Since the Covid-19 outbreak, even more people have been providing unpaid crucial care to loved ones at home, with little to no support. Carers take on huge responsibilities – and have saved the country over £135 billion throughout the pandemic. Their crucial roles should be valued.
Local charity, Carers Support Centre is working hard to support carers of all ages across Bristol and South Gloucestershire, some as young as 8 years old. They are urging everyone who looks after someone to get a carers assessment.
A carers assessment is a chance for you to talk openly about the impact caring has on your life. It will give you space to think about how caring affects your physical and mental wellbeing and how this may change in the future. It’s the first step towards making sure you get the practical, financial and emotional support you need as a carer.
Tim Poole, Chief Executive of Carers Support Centre, says:
‘We want to encourage people to get a Carers Assessment as soon as possible. This can help you find a way to balance your caring role and plan for the future. Don’t wait for a crisis to seek help. Carers assessments are one of the few rights carers have, so it’s important you make the most of yours.’
Local carers explain what a difference their carers assessments have made:
‘Recently, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed, struggling with the pressure of day-to-day life and caring for my mother. To have someone as helpful and understanding to help me complete the assessment form – and then also look for other support for me – was amazing.’ Sam
‘I always felt awkward asking for help for myself, because I feel my husband’s needs should take priority. Until my carers assessment, I hadn’t told anyone how I’d been feeling and I didn’t realise there were services to support carers. Now, I have some ways forward, including registering as a carer with my GP and exploring options for taking a break from caring in the future.’ Linda
3 out of 5 of us will care for someone in our lifetime. If you have caring responsibilities – or you know someone else who does – please get in touch with Carers Support Centre.
CarersLine: 0117 965 2200
CarersLine@carerssupportcentre.org.uk
www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk