Warwickshire News Mine

Local carers support organisations, in partnership with the County Council, are marking Carers’ Rights Day 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.

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

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.

Warwickshire County Council has 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.

Graham Hill, a former IT programme manager from Rugby, is a full-time carer for his wife Nicola who is housebound and has severe mobility problems.

Graham said:  “Whatever job you have got, you don’t realise how cash rich you are until you have to give up work. I didn’t know where to go for advice and it felt like the sky was falling in.”

Eventually Graham and his wife found help from the carers support service Guideposts, Warwickshire County Council and Jobcentre Plus.

Graham now chairs the Rugby Carers Forum and helps the County Council to shape services for the future. He said: “We have shared our experiences and we just want to make it easier for the next person who needs help.”

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.

Link to WCC