County’s unpaid carers urged to register for support
The theme for this year’s Carers Week is ‘Recognising and supporting carers in the community.’ The county council and its health partners want to use this week to raise awareness of caring and the amazing work carers do to look after some of our county’s most vulnerable people. They also wish to highlight the support available locally for unpaid carers via the Gloucestershire Carers Hub.
According to the 2021 census, over 52,000 people across Gloucestershire care for family and friends who have a disability, illness, mental health condition or need extra help as they grow older. This can have a significant impact on their lives, from relationships and health to finances and work.
Most of the time, the care provided by unpaid carers is in people’s homes and is largely invisible to the local community. Some people don’t even realise they would be classed as a carer and this is something the council wants to change, to make sure carers who would benefit from support are identified.
Gloucestershire Carers Hub, funded jointly by the council and NHS, provides a wealth of support to adult carers, including the Carers Emergency Scheme which builds on personal contingency planning and can mean that extra emergency support is available for them if they need it. There is also a ‘Carer Aware’ discount card which offers a discreet way for carers to identify themselves and to benefit from discount from registered discount providers or to access other concessions.
During Carers Week, Gloucestershire Carers Hub is holding a drop-in event for carers and the people they support at The Pavilion, Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 6PN on Thursday 8 June 2023 from 10.30am to 2.30pm. Carers are invited to come along to meet members of the Carers Hub team, along with representatives from various local services.
Support is also available for young carers in Gloucestershire through Gloucestershire Young Carers.
Cllr Stephan Fifield, cabinet member for adult social care delivery at Gloucestershire County Council said: “Over 8.5 per cent of people in Gloucestershire are carers and we want to say thank you to each and every one, who strives daily to keep the person they care for safe and well at home or supports them when they need medical care.
“Over the last four years, the Carers Hub has provided support to over 11,000 carers, but we know that there will be some carers who don’t realise that help is available. If you or someone you know is a carer, contact the Gloucestershire Carers Hub to have a conversation and see how they can help.”
Call: 0300 111 9000
Email: carers@peopleplus.co.uk
Visit: www.gloucestershirecarershub.co.uk