Suffolk Family Carers is making family carers visible, valued, supported and connected this Carers Week (6–12 June 2022)
Carers Week is an annual awareness campaign that celebrates and recognises the vital contribution of the UK’s unpaid carers – supporting family members and friends who are older, have a disability, mental or physical illness or need extra help as they grow older.
During Carers Week 2022 Suffolk Family Carers is inviting health and care services, employers, schools and local communities to recognise the vital contribution made by family carers. We are also asking that people support the national campaign calling on the government to develop a Recovery and Respite Plan for family carers, to ensure all carers get the support they need.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a monumental impact on family carers’ lives – not only because of the increased amount of care that many provided, but because of the far-reaching effect that providing this level of care has had on them. Many people also took on new caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and who need support. This may have been at the expense of their own physical and emotional health.
We need to recognise the difficulties they are experiencing, respect them for all they are doing, and ensure they are provided with information, and given the support they need to care safely. So, during Carers Week, we are coming together to make caring Visible, Valued Supported & Connected.
As restrictions have eased for many it is vital that we acknowledge the enormous contribution that family carers continue to make day in day out. Looking after someone can be a hugely rewarding experience, but it often comes with difficulties, including getting the right support.
Kirsten Alderson, CEO of Suffolk Family Carers said:
“With over 6000 people becoming family carers each week in the UK it is vital that we recognise the important role they play in easing the burden on our frontline healthcare services.
This Carers Week I hope all parts of the community in Suffolk – family and friends, employers, businesses, schools, health and care services – do their bit to make caring visible and show it is valued and supported”
There are over 50 activities organised by Suffolk Family Carers and its partner organisations taking place across the county during Carers Week, ranging from information & awareness stands at supermarkets & hospitals, to drop-ins, fun activities and online peer groups. We want to raise the profile of family carers in their communities and start conversations.
What is a carer?
A family carer is anybody who looks after someone with a long term illness, mental health issue or disability that could not cope day to day without this help. They may
not be family but can be anyone that is close to the person they care for.
Becoming a family carer for is often a gradual process, like an illness affecting the person being cared for. The work of caring gradually impacts daily life, restricting your ability to get time for yourself more and more. Because of this most people identify themselves as ‘wife’, ‘husband’, ‘daughter’, ‘son’, ‘friend’ etc. rather than as a family carer.
Whilst caring can be a rewarding experience, it can also have a huge impact on a person’s health, finances and relationships. Not recognising you are a family carer can be a real barrier to accessing the vital support available.
