To celebrate National Carers’ Week (9-15 June), a series of special events are being held across the borough. Find out how you can take part.
They have been organised to recognise the outstanding work that carers do and highlight the support available to them.
What is a carer?
A carer is anyone who spends time (unpaid) looking after or helping a family member, friend, or neighbour who, because of their health and care needs, would find it difficult to cope without this help. Children and young people looking after family members can also be carers.
Come along
There will be a carers’ information event held in the main entrance of Ealing Hospital on Monday 9 June from 1pm to 4pm.
Drop-in and meet staff from Ealing Carers and the NHS, who will be able to provide information and answer questions about the support available for carers when a loved one is in hospital. Email info@ealingcarers.org.uk for more information.
Ealing Carers Partnership is also hosting events all week, and beyond. They include networking sessions, coffee mornings, wellbeing workshops and lots more. Details can be found on the Ealing Carers Partnership website.
More support
Ealing Council has also announced a new package of support services that are available to its thousands of residents who care for loved ones.
The Ealing carers’ strategy has been developed by the council, in partnership with health and social care professionals, the voluntary sector, and carers.
Gule Hanid is an unpaid carer in Ealing. She supports a number of family members living with serious health conditions.
She, along with other carers, made valuable contributions to help shape the strategy and make sure that carers get the support they need.
The strategy focuses on 5 key areas:
- early identification
- involvement in care planning
- support for wellbeing
- financial guidance
- a whole-family approach
According to the new strategy, the borough is home to more than 24,000 carers, representing 7% of its population. There are more than 1,900 young carers in the borough, and more than half of all unpaid carers are aged 50 and over.
The new strategy aims to make sure carers are recognised, supported and not left to navigate complex systems alone.
Councillor Polly Knewstub, the council’s cabinet member for healthy equal lives, said: “Unpaid carers are the backbone of our society, often providing essential support without recognition. That’s why it’s vital that we identify and support them at the earliest opportunity. The insight from carers has been invaluable. We need to give them the best level of support possible.”
