The Isle of Wight Council, Carers UK and St John’s Ambulance are joining forces for National Carers Week (12-18 June) to encourage the many thousands of unpaid carers on the Island to consider their own health and well-being as well as those that they care for. A special Carers Information Day is taking place at the Riverside Centre, Newport on Wednesday 14 June 11am-3pm where carers can find out more about the range of help and support they can receive.
At least 15,000 people on the Island are known to be providing unpaid care for family; partners or friends in need of help because they are ill, frail or have a disability. Many carers are not aware of the services available to them and this year’s Carer’s Week theme,’ In sickness and in Health’, aims to highlight the effects that caring can have on a carer’s own health and well-being and encourage more carers to seek support from local services.
The event, which will be opened by Councillor Dawn Cousins and Andrew Williamson, Director of Adult & Community Services, will be bringing together representatives from a range of local services from the council, health and voluntary sector partners. As well as presentations and information displays there will also be the opportunity to try out some natural therapies and chair exercises!
The event will also see the launch of a new council strategy for carers, which follows months of consultation with carers and local services on the Island to determine how services should be shaped for the next four years.
Frances Wright, secretary of the local branch of Carers UK said, “Many people are carers without actually realising it and therefore don’t know what help and support is available to them. These are the people we particularly want to encourage to drop in and see us on the day.”
Councillor Dawn Cousins, Cabinet Member for Care, Health & Housing said, “It takes a special person to be a carer and they are naturally inclined to think of anyone but themselves. We recognise the great value of the work that they do and want to urge them to take this opportunity to see how we, and our partner agencies, can support their health and well-being and help care for them.”