Carers’ Week 2010 takes place between 14 – 18 June and will highlight why supporting carers is crucial, how carers miss out on things other people take for granted and will ask what needs to be changed
Events organised during the week, under the theme “A life of my own” will enable carers to talk about many aspects of life that most people take for granted e.g. family occasions, going on holiday, enjoying a meal out, even just chilling out for an evening with no worries or responsibilities. Carers will highlight what they need to have a life of their own, including: access to relevant and practical information, to help them with their caring role; the opportunity to take a break when they need it; support at times of crisis and obtaining financial support
Ceredigion County Council’s Carers Champion, Councillor Carl Williams, said:
“Many carers in Ceredigion can suffer owing to a lack of understanding about what they do – some don’t even recognise themselves as carers. This has a real and negative impact on their health, their finances, their working and social life and their general wellbeing. Carers’ Week aims to combat this by highlighting and celebrating the incredible contribution that carers make, sharing the positive experiences as well as the more difficult experiences.”
Carers’ Week campaigns for greater recognition and support for carers and aims to inform those who are unaware of them, of the services and benefits carers are entitled to.
The Carers Development Officer with Ceredigion County Council’s Social Services Department, Heather West, explained:
“With the support of our partners within the Ceredigion Carers’ Alliance, Ceredigion County Council’s Social Services Department offers a range of events scheduled across Carers’ Week ranging from information events, “Relax and Recharge Days” to strawberry teas.
“Between 3:00 and 5:00pm on Wednesday 16 June at the Park Avenue Day Centre, Aberystwyth, at the Carers Ceredigion Strawberry Tea, we will be launching a new carers’ DVD entitled “Do you Care?”.
The DVD offers information about basic caring skills to support carers. The full Ceredigion Programme of Carers’ Week Events and the latest edition of “Jigsaw” the Carers’ Newsletter are available on www.ceredigion.gov.uk/carers or for booking details telephone 01970 633564 during weekday office hours.
