Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.
The theme of this year’s Carers Week is to Make Caring Visible and Valued – recognising the fact that many people have taken on more caring responsibilities for relatives or friends as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Councillor Linda Leach, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: “There are over 27,000 unpaid carers in Wolverhampton who look after family members or friends who have a disability, mental or physical illness or simply need extra help as they grow older.
“Meanwhile, Carers UK estimates that 4.5 million people across the UK took on caring responsibilities during the Covid-19 pandemic. This Carers Week, they should be recognised for the incredible job they are playing, and given the help they need to keep on doing it.
“Caring without the right information and support can be tough, and our Carer Support Team is on hand to give the city’s unpaid carers as much help as possible to carry out their vitally important role, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.”
The Carer Support Team offers a range of support for people who care for a friend, relative or neighbour, ensuring they are supported in their caring role, have access to the services they need and are able to claim the benefits they are entitled to. They also provide practical information, guidance and advice on a range of matters including benefits and offer a range of other services including training in essential skills such as first aid.
For more information, please call 01902 553409, visit Carer support, email carer.support@wolverhampton.gov.uk, search for WolverhamptonCarerSupport on Facebook or follow them @wolvescarers on Twitter and Instagram.
Throughout Carers Week, the team has information stands at Brooklands Health Centre, West Park Hospital and Penn Manor GP surgery.
And on Friday, carers who attend the weekly Friday Zoom meeting will be getting together at West Park for a Walking Talking carers group – a socially distanced stroll around the park culminating with a cuppa in the tea rooms. To take part, please call 01902 553409.
Carers Week runs from today (Monday) until Sunday 13 June, 2021. For more information about Carers Week, please visit Carers Week.
