Care for the Carers raises £1,365 on Bluebell Walk

Care for the Carers was delighted to be invited to run the Arlington Bluebell Walk for the first time on Monday 16 May. The charity supports anyone looking after a relative or friend in East Sussex. 

The walk is only open for six weeks of the year, led by a different charity each day – with the proceeds going to a range of good causes.

The sun was out on Monday, and the Care for the Carers’ team of 30 brilliant volunteers made it a wonderful day, stepping in as ‘meeters and greeters’, café volunteers, kitchen assistants and an award winning chef cooking the food. The charity also benefited from the generosity of supporters who baked over 40 cakes for the event!

As well as running the walk, Care for the Carers held a social activity, enabling local carers to take a much needed break from their caring roles, enjoy the walk and have lunch together in the café.

“I was so pleased to be invited to join the Bluebell Walk organised by Care for the Carers,” said Daphne Burton, a local carer. “My husband and I used to go every year, but haven’t been able to in recent years. He has been diagnosed with dementia and as I don’t drive I have felt rather isolated. It was so lovely to be able to enjoy the peace of the woods and listen to the birdsong. The lunch was an added bonus, as was the opportunity to speak with others who were carers and the organisers too. The day gave light to a rather dark time for me. Well done to all involved.”

John McCutchan, founder of the Bluebell Walk, said: “I was very impressed in how well Care for the Carers organised their first day here…they had ample happy volunteers welcoming our visitors and offering them such delicious food.”

Care for the Carers CEO, Jennifer Twist, was in attendance on the day: “We were thrilled to be part of this special event for the first time this year. It was a wonderful day, the sunshine was out, all our volunteers were fantastic, the carers and general public who came along had a great time and the event raised vital awareness of unpaid carers. We are so grateful to everyone who volunteered, supported us and showed up on the day. Together we raised a wonderful £1,365 which will enable us to reach more carers who desperately need support –  thank you.”

About Care for the Carers

Care for the Carers is the Carers Centre for East Sussex and an independent charity supporting unpaid carers across the county. The charity is commissioned to provide services to carers by East Sussex County Council and the NHS.

The charity provides free practical and emotional advice to Carers and a range of services. Services 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 East Sussex.

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 at: www.cftc.org.uk, by phoning 01323 738390 or emailing info@cftc.org.uk.

About the Bluebell Walk

Since 1972 the Arlington Bluebell Walk and Farm Trail has developed into seven interesting walks over three working farms involving local charities. The walk is only open for six weeks of the year, and each day is run by a different charity who receives a contribution of the proceeds- including all the takings from the café. The walks are accessible, with hire of mobility scooters available on site.  They are also dog friendly. As well as the walks, there is a café, petting farm, bookshop, plant stall and local craft stall to visit.

Since the walk started the equivalent of £1.8m has been raised for 78 different charities. Care for the Carers was one of 23 charities taking part this year, other charities included Canine Partners, East Sussex Foster Care Association, St Wilfrids Hospice and Memory Lane Eastbourne.

For more information on the Bluebell Walk visit www.bluebellwalk.co.uk.

About carers in East Sussex

Care for the Carers estimates that there are 69,241 unpaid carers in East Sussex, and below are the estimated figures for each area*. It is difficult to know the actual number of carers because so many carers are hidden.

Wealden        19,356
Lewes             13,686
Rother            13,287
Eastbourne    12,621
Hastings         10,291

There are an estimated additional 34,000 carers due to the pandemic.

There are an estimated 21,000 young carers in East Sussex.

 

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