Young carers

Carers’ Week: Local carers’ charity celebrates and thanks unpaid carers

Care for the Carers, a local charity supporting unpaid carers, is spotlighting the vital role that carers play during this year’s Carers’ Week, which runs from Monday 6 to Sunday 12 June 2022.  The charity is celebrating and recognising the vital contribution made by the UK’s 6.5 million unpaid carers, over 69,000 in East Sussex, who look after a relative, friend or neighbour who couldn’t manage without their help. Amy Hope writes.

This year’s Carers Week focus is ‘Making Caring Visible, Valued and Supported’.  Care for the Carers is inviting carers, their friends and family, organisations and local businesses to recognise and celebrate carers. You can find simple ways to show your support by visiting our website. You can also find out about many activities organised by the charity and their partners, available during the week.

Carers’ Week

In this year’s Annual Survey, local carers said: “Keep promoting the importance of carers to the community in general and persuade people and businesses to look favourably on carers when considering discounts, access arrangements and other helpful measures.”

“You must keep on drawing attention to all the people, like myself, that give years of their lives, caring for family we love, unpaid.”

Care for the Carers is also joining with Carers UK to back their campaign calling on the government to put in place a Recovery and Respite Plan for unpaid carers, outlining additional support for carers across a range of areas – including breaks, respite and care.  Although some may feel that the pandemic is over, many carers don’t feel that way – both the legacy of the pandemic, and worries about infection, are still present in carers’ lives.

Jennifer Twist, Chief Executive of Care for the Carers, says: “So many carers are not even aware that they are caring.  They see it as ‘doing what anyone would in their position’, and don’t know that there is support available to them.

“The pandemic has undoubtedly taken its toll on carers.  While often rewarding, caring can also have a huge impact, leading to a decrease in mental and physical wellbeing, and increased isolation.  This has been exacerbated in recent times.

“This Carers Week we are celebrating carers and all that they do and we want all carers in East Sussex to know that we are here to help and that they are not alone. Please do get in touch with us for information, support, or to connect with other carers.”

More information about Carers Week, resources, and activities are available on our dedicated webpage.

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