A series of events are taking place for Carers Week, celebrating the fantastic work informal and unpaid carers do in Trafford.
The week of 7-13 June is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring. This year’s theme is Make Caring Visible and Valued, and it highlights the challenges unpaid carers face, and recognises the contribution they make to families and communities. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
In Trafford, there are around 7,000 Trafford residents who are registered as unpaid carers and many more who take on caring responsibilities but don’t recognise themselves as carers.
Cllr Jane Slater, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Equalities, said:
Carers do such an amazing job for their loved ones and it is only right we recognise the incredible work they do.
“It is also important that carers know they are not alone in their role. Our services are there to help residents when they need support, whether that is practical support or just some advice and a friendly face to talk to.”
To find out about what support is available in the borough and how to access it, visit the Trafford Carers Centre website.
The centre, which carries out services on behalf of the Council, has put on a range of events for Carers Week.
These include a walk in Longford Park, Stretford, on the Monday, open for carers and those the care for. Another walk takes place on the Friday and dogs are welcome!
On Tuesday, there is a free Carers Awareness Session on Zoom and is open to services and businesses who may work with or support carers.
Then on Thursday, the centre hosts an afternoon tea, quiz and bingo – again via Zoom.
More details are on the carers centre website.
The Council and Trafford CCG are also looking at making sure the right services for carers and their families are being provided, and have launched a survey.
If you are a carer, a young carer or you work with unpaid and informal carers, please take a few minutes of your time to complete the survey
Cllr Slater also urged any carer to get their Covid vaccination as soon as possible, if they haven’t already done so.
Any carer over the age of 18 can be vaccinated and should have been contacted to make an appointment.
Carers who are now known to health and care services can contact the national booking service or by ringing 119 to complete a short application process to determine if they are eligible to book their vaccination appointment.
Posted on Friday 28th May 2021