This week is Carers Week – an annual awareness campaign that takes place to celebrate and recognise the vital contribution made to families and communities by the six and a half million carers across the UK.
Every day, carers up and down the country prioritise the needs of loved ones who need extra help – whether children, partners, parents or friends – with no expectation of payment in return. Today alone, six thousand people have become carers and three out of five of us are likely to become carers at some point in our lives.
Caring isn’t something we plan for. Taking on a caring role can develop over time, but it can also be sudden. Caring responsibilities can range from a few hours a week to what is described by some as being on hand twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
In my role as an MP, I have met with many carers and others have contacted me to ask for help with difficulties that they are experiencing or because they have reached a crisis point. My admiration for all carers – and the resilience they show – is huge. Yet, as a society we sometimes lose sight of the need for those carers to themselves be cared for (in a broader sense) if they are to sustain their tireless work.
Caring does not need to be a negative experience and it is so often generously and selflessly given. It can deepen relationships and allow people to realise potential and discover inner strength they didn’t know they had. However, the impact of caring on health and wellbeing should not be underestimated which is why, this year, the central message of the campaign is the importance of ensuring that carers are ‘Healthy and Connected’. It is essential that carers are allowed a space to build (and sustain) a life of their own, which includes but is not overwhelmed by caring. We need to look past the label of ‘carer’ or ‘caring’ and see individuals with their own health and wellbeing needs.
Carers are not always visible in their communities and can be at risk of becoming isolated and themselves unwell, both mentally and physically. We need to break this cycle and reach out to carers in every corner of our community and help them to access the practical, financial and emotional support they need. Everyone has a role to play if we are to succeed and those organising the hundreds of events that are taking place this week are making an excellent start.
If you have a specific enquiry that you think I may be able to help with you can also contact my constituency office on 01926 853650 or by email at jeremy@jeremywright.org.uk.
If you are a carer seeking support you can contact:
Warwickshire Carer Wellbeing Service (Adult carers for adults)
Tel: 024 7610 1040, option 4
Email: carerssupport@carerstrusthofe.org.uk
Web: https://www.carerstrusthofe.org.uk/warwickshire-carer-wellbeing-service/
Warwickshire Young Carers Project
Tel: 02476 217740
Email: info@warwickshireyoungcarers.org.uk
Web: http://www.warwickshireyoungcarers.org.uk/
SEND local offer & Family Information Service (Parent carers)
SEND – Information to support children and young people (0-25) with special educational needs and disabilities. https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/send
Family Information Service – Provides free information to support families with children and young people (0-25) across Warwickshire with issues including; childcare; parenting support, family finances. https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fis