The team are reminding carers that they are on hand to help them during the coronavirus pandemic, and because social distancing restrictions prevent them from holding face to face activities as normal during this year’s Carers Week, they are moving online.
Activities include 2 virtual gatherings of the popular Carers Wellbeing Cafés on Microsoft Teams on Monday 8 June from 2.30pm to 3.30pm and Wednesday 10 June from 10.30am to 11.30am. Places are limited; to register your interest, please email carer.support@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
On Tuesday 9 June, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Welfare Rights Service is holding a session on Benefits for Carers via Microsoft Teams from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Places are limited; to register your interest, please email carer.support@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
There will be a free Zoom Laughter Yoga session on Thursday 11 June at 11am, with carers invited to set aside a bit of time to look after themselves, feel better and have fun. To register visit Eventbrite.
And on Friday 12 June, there will be a singalong with members of Wolverhampton Music Service. It will be available on YouTube all day.
Meanwhile, Spurgeons is holding an information and support phone in for young carers on Wednesday 10 June from 10am to 12pm. To take part, please call 07814 143804.
The Carer Support Team offers a range of services to carers, ensuring they are supported in their role, have access to the help they need and are able to claim the benefits they are entitled to.
The team also provides practical information, guidance and advice on a range of matters, along with other services including carer assessments, training in key skills such as first aid and the Carers Emergency Card scheme, which provides vital information for the emergency services in the event a carer falls ill.
Councillor Linda Leach, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "There are an estimated 27,000 carers in Wolverhampton, providing unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health problem or who needs extra help as they grow older.
"Each and every one of them is doing an incredible job during the coronavirus pandemic, and our Carer Support Team want to give them as much help as they can at this time.
"Clearly, we can't hold some of our usual events this Carers' Week, so instead the team is going online to host a range of activities which we hope will be both informative and enjoyable."
To get in touch with the Carer Support Team, please call 01902 553409, visit Carer support, email carer.support@wolverhampton.gov.uk or find @WolvesCarers on Twitter, Wolves Carers on Facebook and WolvesCarers on Instagram.
Councillor Leach added: "We as a council will continue to do all we can to support our carers during this challenging time. If anyone needs help – or just a friendly voice to chat to – please do not hesitate to give the Carer Support Team a call."
Carers Week 2020 runs from Monday 8 to Sunday 14 June. For more details, please visit Carers Week.
The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at GOV.UK and on the council’s own coronavirus pages at Coronavirus advice and information. There’s lots of advice on how people can protect themselves and their families from coronavirus from the NHS at Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The council’s Stay Safe, Be Kind campaign offers clear and simple advice about how people can help themselves, and how they can support others who may be particularly vulnerable at this time. For more information, please visit Stay Safe, Be Kind.
