Carers Week runs from Monday 10 June to Sunday 16 June, with a theme this year of ‘Putting Carers on the Map’.
This annual campaign raises awareness of caring, highlighting the challenges facing unpaid carers and recognising the contribution they make to families and communities across 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.
A number of activities for carers will be taking place throughout Carers Week. In North Ayrshire, Carers Gateway provides a lifeline, offering information, advice, emotional support, training and connections to local resources for unpaid carers. #
You can find out more about this week’s events in the latest edition of the North Ayrshire Carers Gateway newsletter – scroll to page 12 for the full events run-through.
The newsletter also contains lots of important news from the service, including changes to Carers Allowance, an exciting new information website, and new carers groups in Kilwinning, Irvine and Arran, as well as details of upcoming summer trips and events.
As part of the Carers Week celebrations, Gowanlea Day Service in Kilbirnie will be running ‘Music Through the Years’ sessions from Tuesday 11 June to Friday 14 June from 1.30pm to 2.45pm each day, where carers (both formal and informal) can come along, enjoy an afternoon tea and meet the staff. No booking is required and admission is via a donation. To find out more, call 01505 684985.
According to recent research by the Carers Week charity, 62% of those who care, or previously provided care, said they had ‘no choice’ in taking on the role because no other options were available.
Find out more about the support available for carers on the dedicated NAHSCP webpage.