Warwickshire gears up for Carers Week
Warwickshire is gearing up for Carers Week next month (from 8-14 June) with a special campaign bus to reach thousands of hidden carers across the county.
Warwickshire carer Amanda Burn sent the bus off for its maiden journey from the County Council’s Adult, Health and Community Services HQ in Warwick.
Amanda has cared for her mother who is paraplegic for the last four years. She also works for the county council and helps customers, including carers, to give their views and help shape services.
“So many of us don’t realise the role that we are playing and that there is support available, so I think the idea of the bus is brilliant,” said carer Amanda.
The liveried carers’ bus is expected to drive down 16,000 streets and cover 19,000 miles over the next 12 months.
The theme for this year’s national campaign is ‘Carers…the UK’s Secret Service’ and Warwickshire aims to get the army of hidden carers in the driving seat to access the support that they deserve.
Dr Graeme Betts, Strategic Director for Adult, Health and Community Services at Warwickshire County Council, said: "There are more than 50,000 carers in Warwickshire but we estimate that only one in ten has sought help from adult social care or external carers’ support services.
"We want to reach as many carers as possible and that is exactly why we are taking our message directly to the communities where they live."
Warwickshire is staging events across the county to raise the profile of carers and help the hidden carers who are not seeking any support in their day-to-day life. Activities range from market stalls in local communities to a landmark conference at the Ricoh arena featuring the launch of a new emergency card and strategy for carers.
For more information about Carers Week in Warwickshire log onto http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/carers