Warwickshire News Mine

Local carers support organisations, in partnership with the County Council, are marking Carers’ Rights Day on Friday 4 December with events across Warwickshire to help carers get a better deal.

‘Caring for your income and pensions’ is this year’s theme and those who care for relatives, friends or neighbours are being encouraged to attend local sessions to find out about the support and benefits available.

In Warwickshire alone there are 53,000 people caring for family members, partners or friends who are disabled, ill or frail.  However, many of those with caring responsibilities remain hidden and are unaware of their entitlements.

Organised by Guideposts, South Warwickshire Carers’ Support, Rethink and Warwickshire County Council, Carers Rights Day events will run in the following locations:

Leamington Spa, 10.00am to 4.00pm, Royal Priors Shopping Centre, Leamington

Stratford Upon Avon, 9.30am to 3.30pm, Stratford upon Avon Hospital Reception, Arden Street, Stratford upon Avon

North Warwickshire, 10.30am to 3.30pm, Shortcrust, 51/51a Station Road, Atherstone

Nuneaton and Bedworth, 10.30am to 3.30pm, Community Café, 44/45 Church Street, Nuneaton

Rugby, 10.30am to 3.30pm, Clock Tower Shopping Mall, Rugby

Warwickshire County Council has also updated its ‘Carers’ Rights – Carers’ Benefits’ guide for carers with new sections on pension planning and what to do if you are considering giving up work to concentrate on your caring role. The guide will be available from 4 December direct from Warwickshire County Council by calling 01926 410410 or visiting.warwickshire.gov.uk/carers . It is also available from Guideposts, South Warwickshire Carers Support Service and Rethink.

Dr Graeme Betts, Strategic Director for Adult Health and Community Services at Warwickshire County Council, is the national lead for Carers for ADASS (The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services).  As Chair of the Carers Policy Network, he regularly raises carers’ issues at a local and national government level.

Dr Betts said: “Carers are under intense pressure, not just due to the day-to-day demands of their role but also because of the financial implications of caring at home. Many carers have to give up their jobs completely to care at home but find it difficult to navigate the benefits system.

“We would urge all carers, particularly those who may be new to the role, to find out about the support available and where they stand in terms of financial security. We owe carers a huge debt and we are pleased to be supporting Carers’ Rights Day and providing the ‘Carers’ Rights – Carers’ Benefits’ guide.”

Carers’ Rights Day in Warwickshire is being supported by Warwickshire County Council, Guideposts, South Warwickshire Carers Support Service, Rethink, The Pension Service, The Rowan Organisation, CAVA, Age Concern, PHILLIS and Warwickshire Welfare Rights Service. 

Carers’ Rights Day is organised nationally by Carers UK to bring caring groups from across the UK to work together to support, inform and speak up for the UK’s 6 million carers.

For more information on Carers UK log onto http://www.carersuk.org

Contact details of the Carers Support Services in Warwickshire:
Guideposts Carers Support Service
(providing a service to North Warwickshire, Nuneaton & Bedworth and Rugby)
Tel: 02476 385888 or email: carerssupport@guidepoststrust.org.uk
Or visit their website: http://www.guidepostswarks.org.uk

South Warwickshire Carers Support Service
(providing a service to the districts of Warwick and Stratford)
Tel: 01926 485486 or email: info@swcss.org.uk
Or visit their website: http://www.swcss.org.uk

Rethink in Warwickshire
(providing countywide carer support services to all carers of
people with mental health needs)
Tel: 01827 715730 or email: ciss@rethink.org

Warwickshire County Council
Tel: 01926 410410 or visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/carers
or speak to the social worker or specialist carer worker who
supports you or the person you care for.

Link to WCC