Published: Monday 6 June 2022
Are you an unpaid carer? Looking after a member of your family or a friend? We know that it can be challenging to do this, and people need a break from time to time. The Council funds that Carers Network to provide support to unpaid carers and this carers week it is is offering a variety of free events to give people a break.
The week includes:
- a river cruise on the Thames on Monday,
- a tour of the Houses of Parliament on Friday
- trips to:
- The Royal Mews
- The Wallace Collection
- Kew Gardens
- Chiswick House
There are also mindfulness sessions.
In Kensington and Chelsea, you can have a tour of Chelsea Physic Garden at 11am on Thursday 9 June and you can meet up for free coffee morning at 10.30am at 71 St Mark’s Road, W10 on Friday 10 June.
Rana, a carer for her 12-year-old autistic son, said: “When I first became a carer I didn’t understand. What’s a carer? Carers need to know they have support. They need to celebrate that they’re doing a good job and realise that other people are thinking about them and are aware of what they do. And at the events, it’s fun for us carers to meet each other.”
Cllr Anne Cyron, Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: “Unpaid carers do a vital job supporting their family or friends and often they go unrecognised. It’s important the carers have some time for themselves as well, it can be incredibly demanding looking after someone and even having a few hours where you can go and do something else can really help.
“If you are an unpaid carer do try and take advantage of some of the events on offer this week and speak to the Carers Network if you need are looking for advice on what support you can get as a carer.”
If you want to attend any events email [email protected] or call 020 8960 3033. You can find full details of the events at https://mcusercontent.com/9facab6fd04525c737a72dd55/files/4214a314-1f4e-7a10-4f80-b64be23bdb19/K_C_Programme_2.pdf
Carers week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of the challenges unpaid carers face and highlight the support available to those in this position.
If you are an unpaid carer there is a variety of ways you can get both financial support and advice and help with who you are caring for. Go to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers/benefits-for-carers/ for a list of government allowances you maybe entitled to and speak to the Carers Network about advice and support they can offer you.