This year, Carers Week takes place from the 8 – 14th June. Now more than ever, the importance of acknowledging the hard work and sacrifices carers make every day is abundantly clear.
What is carers week?
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. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
(source: https://www.carersweek.org/about-us)
Why have an annual carers week?
There are currently an esitmated 6.5 unpaid carers in the UK currently caring for a relative or friend. On top of that, we have personal assistants employed by direct payments users, caregivers employed through agencies or local councils, and staff at care homes all working to support the vulnerable members of our community.
The global pandemic we are all currently going through has highlighted more than ever that these roles in our society are undervalued and lack the vital support our key workers need.
Carers week runs every year to raise awareness of the challenges unpaid carers face, and aims to provide the support and tools these people actually need.
What can you do?
You can get involved in carers week in a number of ways. You can add your voice to the carers week ‘wall of voices’, you can make a pledge for your support and add an activity, or even print out a poster to stick in your window to raise awareness.
Check out the Carers Week ‘Get Involved’ page for details on all of these options.