Background
Carers Week is celebrated nationally on an annual basis.
It seeks to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.
Carers Week was founded by Carers UK, in collaboration with Age UK, Carers Trust, Independent Age, Macmillan Cancer Support, MND Association and MS Society.
Carers UK was founded in 1965 by Mary Webster, who wanted to draw the public attention to the practical difficulties of caring for someone, the financial hardships and the feeling of being isolated.
This year Carers Week will take place from the 6th – 12th of June 2022. The hashtag which is being used this to year to promote Carers week is #CarersWeek2022.
Theme
For 2022, the theme is “Make caring visible, valued and supported”, which focuses on unpaid carers and the challenges of caring.
According to carersweek.org: “We believe that unpaid carers and the challenges of caring should be recognised in all areas of life, caring should be valued and respected by everyone in our society, and carers should have access to the information and support they need, where and when they need it.”
Who is a Carer?
According to Carers Trust: “A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addition cannot cope without their support.”
Anyone can be classified as a Carer. Carers Trust explains this through a few examples:
- “a 15-year-old girl looking after a parent with an alcohol problem,
- a 40-year-old man caring for his partner who has terminal cancer,
- an 80-year-old woman looking after her husband who has Alzheimer’s disease.”
How do I join in Carers Week?
- Joining in the Carers Week events – Carers Week will host a multitude of events, both online or face-to-face, if you would like to find or join an event close to you, or online, then please go to www.carersweek.org and use the map that they have provided on their site to find an event that you would like to join.
- Sharing on social media – by sharing articles and information about Carers Week, why it is so important and what others can do to support or get join in Carers Week.
- Placing posters or information about Carers Week in your workplace – you can download resources from www.carersweek.org/resources-and-downloads/.
What can I do to help?
If you would like to help by donating to charities focused on carers and the impact of caring, the please donate to one of the following charities:
- The Care Workers’ Charity – “The Care Workers’ Charity (CWC) was founded in 2009 with the objective of supporting current and former care workers with one-off crisis grants.” If you would like to donate to the CWC, then please go to https://www.thecareworkerscharity.org.uk/donations/.
- Carers Trust – “Carers Trust is a major charity for, with and about carers. We work to improve support, services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems.” If you would like to donate to the Carers Trust, the please go to https://www.donate.carers.org/.
- Age UK – Age UK focuses on older people, who find themselves without the care and support that they need. Age UK helps with providing support, companionship and advice, to help carers and the people who are being cared for. If you would like to donate to Age UK, then please go to https://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/donate/a/donate/.
- Carers First – “Carers First works directly with and for carers to provide personalised information and advice. Making it easier for those caring for someone else to continue living their lives to the fullest.” If you would like to donate to Carers First, then please go to https://www.carersfirst.org.uk/get-involved/donate/.
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