Carers in Shropshire and the work they do was celebrated on Friday 4 December.
Carers’ Rights Day is an opportunity to recognise and raise awareness of the fact that carers are entitled to help and support to help them manage their caring responsibilities. One in five of us will be a carer at some point in our lives and most of us will need help from family and friends. This day was to mark the hard work and dedications carried out by partners, family members or friends of people who have a physical or mental illness, a learning or physical disability or are frail and elderly.
Here in Shropshire there are a range of services available to support carers.
People do not need to cope alone.
- You can have your needs identified through a carers assessment.
- The Citizens Advice Bureau and Shropshire Council’s Fairer Charging Team can identify what benefits you are entitled to and help to protect your pension and savings.
- There are a variety of training and learning opportunities, many of which are free. We have produced a training brochure to tell you what is available and how to access opportunities.
- If you have had a carers assessment you can register with the carers Emergency Respite Scheme, which gives you peace of mind in the event of something happening unexpectedly.
- You may be able to have some respite care to give you a break. [iem]You may be eligible for a carers direct payment to help towards the cost of something you need.
- You might like to join a carers support group.
Councillor Simon Jones, Cabinet member for adult Services at Shropshire Council, encouraged local carers to take advantage of the facilities available to them: “Carers’ Right Day gives us an opportunity to highlight the excellent work carried out by local people to support their friends and family. All too often when people take on a caring role they are faced with difficult decisions and challenges – having to work less or give up work altogether, managing with less income, managing the daily routines for someone who is unable to cope independently, having to give up hobbies and interests due to lack of time, coping with the impact on family life of caring for someone whose needs require constant attention.”
“If you care for someone and are unsure what you may be entitled to, please call the Carers’ Helpline on 01743 341995.