Unpaid carers face mounting problems

To mark Carers Rights Day on Thursday 24 November, HOT’s Judy Parkinson spoke to local charity Care for the Carers about the red-hot topic of unpaid carers and the help that’s available to them. There has been an alarming 20% increase in the number of East Sussex carers experiencing problems with their finances since last year, with 85% of carers locally highlighting this issue.

East Sussex charity Care for the Carers is helping to raise awareness of the rights, benefits and support that unpaid carers are entitled to but may not be aware of. To mark Carers Rights Day on Thursday 24 November, the charity is calling out for local support from organisations and individuals for this national campaign run by Care UK.

Are you a carer?  Do you look after someone who could not manage without your help; someone with ill health, frailty, disability, mental ill-health or addiction? It is estimated that over 100,000 of the UK’s estimated 10.6m unpaid carers live in East Sussex. Did you know you can apply for a Carers Card giving you loads of discounts, free hospital parking and more?  Carers have many rights, including flexible working and being consulted on hospital discharge.

This year’s theme for Carers Rights Day is Caring Costs. Caring costs in many ways, not least financially, now more than ever due to the cost of living crisis. Caring can also take an emotional toll that affects employment and damages relationships, whether through not being able to take time out to be with loved ones, or through changes to the relationship with those they care for.

Jennifer Twist, chief executive of Care for the Carers, says: “Many carers are telling us they are struggling. Many are undertaking increasingly complex caring roles, feeling isolated and are disproportionately affected by rapid increases in the cost of living. We want carers to know that they are not alone, that they have rights and that there is support available.

“On 24 November we are asking everyone to show their support and help raise awareness of Carers Rights Day. If you are a carer, we are here to support you so please do get in touch.”

Everyone can support Carers Rights Day by:

• Posting one of these flyers on social media with hashtags #CarersRightsDay and #CaringCosts. Carers can also share their experiences of caring and what caring has cost them financially.

I’m supporting Carers Rights Day poster A4

We’re supporting Carers Rights Day poster A4

• Recommending the Carers Card to any carers you know. There are incredible discounts for carers available in the Hastings area – especially in the food and drink section!
• Spreading awareness of the rights carers are entitled to Carers Rights Day.

Simple ways to show your support can be found on the dedicated webpage with information and resources about carers’ rights.

About Care for the Carers

Care for the Carers is the Carers centre for East Sussex and supports unpaid carers across the county. The charity is commissioned to provide services to carers by East Sussex County Council and the NHS. They provide free practical and emotional advice to carers and a range of services that include referrals to other local services, outreach support, one-to-one crisis help and guidance, coaching, training, wellbeing and support groups, activities and counselling. They strive to create carer friendly communities and peer support opportunities across the county.

Care for the Carers aims to do more to help carers in East Sussex through raising awareness, fundraising and volunteering. Their work ensures that no one is left to care alone.

Further information is available here, by phoning 01323 738390 or emailing info@cftc.org.uk.

More information on the national campaign is available here.

Social media links: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

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