Warwickshire News Mine

Warwickshire County Council is supporting a host of events across the county through out the week, which runs from Monday 12 June until Sunday 18 June, and will be launching a brand new service designed to give carers a well-earned break.

The council has joined forces with Direct Health UK to provide the ‘In Your Place’ scheme, which allows a professional paid carer to come and live in the home for up to three days to give carers planned or emergency breaks.

The new service will be launched at Rugby Library on Monday 12 June from 11am to 1pm and everyone is welcome to pop in and see what is going on.

Another launch event will take place at Hatters Space in Nuneaton on Thursday 15 June, also from 11am to 1pm, in conjunction with a relax and pamper day organised by Guideposts to celebrate the first birthday of the Nuneaton Carers Group.

Mavis Hutt from Nuneaton has been caring for her mother for 12 years. She said: “I live in with my mum so I hardly ever get to see my husband. We found out about the In Your Place service and a lady came to stay with mum for 72 hours over a weekend. We were able to go away to Skegness on a caravanning holiday and now we are getting another day’s break a month to have together. I’m so pleased with the extra support that the county council have given us, they have done everything they can to help.”

Keith Duckitt from Haseley in Warwick cares for his wife and her sister. He said: “Caring for my wife and sister-in-law is a full time job. And I always worry what would happen to them if something were to happen to me. Just knowing this new service is available is reassuring.”

The service is for carers of older people and people with mental health problems. It is available seven days a week, throughout the year, including all public holidays. Carers will be referred to the service following a carers’ assessment. For more details contact 01926 410410.

This year’s Carers Week focuses on the health and emotional wellbeing of carers and the county council has been working closely with organisations such as Guideposts in north Warwickshire, the South Warwickshire Carers’ Support Service and Warwickshire Carers Rights Group to organise the weeks events.

Gen Davey, Service Development Officer for Warwickshire County Council, said: “Wherever people are living in Warwickshire there is sure to be an event near them. This could be to find out more information about support available to carers, to recognise the valuable and often unpaid work of carers, or to allow the carers themselves to get together socially and have a well-deserved break.

“Carers provide an essential service in Warwickshire. The last Census revealed that there are around 53,000 carers in Warwickshire, many providing many hours of care each day. This week is way of recognising and celebrating their work.’’

Just some of the Carers Week events in Warwickshire are as follows:

Monday, June 12 - The launch of a new support service for carers, “In Your Place”, is taking place at Rugby Library from 11am to 1pm. Everyone is welcome.

Monday, June 12 - A new Carers Group will be born at Kingsbury Country Club.

Monday, June 12 - A well being day at Lifeways Complimentary Therapy Centre in Alcester has been organised by South Warwickshire Carers Support Service and an information bus will be travelling around rural areas during the day.

Tuesday, June 13 - Nuneaton Carers Group coffee morning from 10am to 12pm will be held at 21-25 Newdegate Street.

Tuesday, June 13 - Southam Carers Support Group are holding a bring and buy sale outside Southam Library from 10am to 12pm with information and advice for carers from the Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital.

Wednesday, June 14 - A Garden Party with massage, reflexology and reiki sessions is being held in Rugby to celebrate all the hard work of carers living in the borough. Invitation only.

Wednesday, June 14 - Alcester Carers Group will be selling raffle tickets from Alcester Hospital and there will be a carers information stand with a member of staff from the Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital.

Thursday, June 15 - A relax and pamper day is being held at Hatters Space in Nuneaton for carers with therapy and relaxation sessions and a buffet lunch. Come along from 11.30am to 1pm to meet other carers and be pampered. This event also marks the launch of a new support service for carers, “In Your Place”, in the north of the county and the first birthday of the Nuneaton Carers Group.

Thursday, June 15 - Fiona Castle will be opening a ‘Carers Meet Carers’ event open to all carers from the Stratford and Warwick districts at the Brunswick Healthy Living Centre, Leamington Spa from 10am to 3pm. Warwick Arts Centre will be playing during the day and refreshments will be included. Information and advice on healthy eating, wellbeing and support services will be available and blood pressure testing will be taking place at the event too. 

Thursday, June 15 - Alcester Carers Group will be selling raffle tickets from Alcester Hospital and there will be a carers information stand with a member of staff from the Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital.

Thursday, June 15 - Stratford Carers Group are holding a bring and buy sale at Briars Croft Sheltering Housing, Stratford from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Friday 16 June - Warwickshire Carers Rights group will be holding an information stand in Stratford Market.

Friday 16 June - Alcester Carers Group will be selling raffle tickets from Alcester Hospital and there will be a carers information stand with a member of staff from the Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital.

Link to WCC