It’s Carers Week, an opportunity to once again highlight caring, the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
This year’s theme is Recognising and supporting carers in the community and in all corners of our communities we can help.
How many carers are there in the UK?
Around 6.5 million people in the UK are carers, looking after a parent, partner, child or friend. Caring can be a hugely rewarding experience but it can also be a challenging role.
If you are a carer or know someone who is, for example a friend or work colleague, make sure you recognise it for your and their wellbeing. Taking that step to recognise that you or a friend is a carer is a great start.
Carers Count events
Attend one of these events to access advice and support.
- Monday 5 June – Information drop-in, 1pm-3pm, Floor 5, Empire House, Dewsbury, WF12 8DJ
- Monday 5 June – Evening coffee and chat, 6.30pm-8pm, Starbucks, Leeds Road Retail Park, HD1 6PF
- Tuesday 6 June – Meditation, 11am-12.30pm, Brian Jackson House, Huddersfield, HD1 5JP
- Wednesday 7 June – Art Group, 1pm-4pm, Brian Jackson House, Huddersfield, HD1 5JP
- Wednesday 7 June – Carers Lunch and Learn, 1pm-2pm on zoom
- Wednesday 7 June – Together group for mental health carers and cared for, 1.30pm-3.30pm, Empire House, Dewsbury, WF12 8DJ
- Thursday 8 June – Mental Health Carers Wellbeing, 11am-1pm, The Crescent, 40 Station Road, Batley, WF17 5SU
Call 0300 012 0231 or visit carerscount.org.uk for more information.
You can also speak to our staff for advice and support at the following locations:
- Wednesday 7 June – 12pm-2pm, Slaithwaite Health and Wellbeing Centre, New Street, HD7 5AB
- Wednesday 7 June – 11am onwards, Sensory World, Old Westgate, Dewsbury, WF13 1NB
What else can you do?
- Contact Carers Count who will talk to you about all sorts of different help, including: your entitlements and rights, training courses, self help ideas, your wellbeing, groups and activities, emotional support and coping strategies, where to find out more information, and lots more.
- Have a look at the range of free courses for unpaid carers offered by Kirklees Council.
- If you work, find out if you’re employer has a Working Carers Support Network, and other resources to support you such as a Carers Passport
- Be supportive of your friends and colleagues who are carers. Simply ask them what you could do to make things a little easier. You might have to ask a few times.
- Be kind to yourself. Sometimes we have good days, sometimes we have bad days, but always try to find a little me time. Keep calm, be kind (especially to yourself), and put yourself first sometimes instead of always putting others first.
- Take things one step at a time. If caring feels overwhelming, then try to do it bit-by-bit.
- And if you’re a carer yourself, be proud of what you do. We think carers are brilliant.