Hertfordshire charity wants to make carers visible and valued during national awareness week

Carers in Hertfordshire is encouraging people who provide unpaid care to a relative or someone who is ill, disabled, elderly, or misuses drugs or alcohol, to be identified and connect with support services like them.

To mark Carers Week (June 7, to June 13) the charity has planned a range of events for carers to join in with – most of them online due to the coronavirus, but there are some walks too.

The theme of the national awareness week this year is to make caring visible and valued and Carers in Hertfordshire hope all parts of the community, including businesses, schools, and health and care services, do their bit to show carers they are valued and to make caring visible.

Michèle Stokes, the charity’s chief executive, said: “During the coronavirus pandemic many people have taken on new or extra caring responsibilities.

"We want to remind anyone looking after a relative, friend or someone close to them, that you don’t need to do so alone. We and other organisations such as councils and NHS and voluntary services, are there for you during Carers Week and all year round.

"We provide information, advice and opportunities to have a break from caring or connect with other carers or services. So, get in touch to find out how we can help you!”

Carers may be interested in the following events Carers in Hertfordshire has planned:

- A Coming out of COVID-19 panel discussion and Q&A about health, care and community services in Hertfordshire as we move out of COVID-19 restrictions and what support carers would like. The panel will include representatives from Hertfordshire County Council, Herts and West Essex NHS Integrated Care System, Age UK Hertfordshire, Mind in Mid Herts, and Crossroads Care Hertfordshire North. The session will be held on Zoom on Wednesday, June 9, from 2pm till 4pm.

- A poetry writing workshop online on Wednesday, June 9, from 10.30am till 12.30pm.

- Online quiz night on Wednesday night (June 9).

- A Yoga for Sleep Workshop on Zoom on Thursday, June 10, from 8pm.

You can find out about the Carers Week events planned in Hertfordshire online, or you can call the charity on 01992 58 69 69.

Currently, just over 36,300 children and adults who care for someone, are known to Carers in Hertfordshire – up from 32,600 last Carers Week.

For these carers the support of the charity means so much, as Julia, from Kings Langley, a carer for five years, explains.

Julia, who currently supports her elderly mum and juggles a full-time job and caring, said: “The charity’s workshops and activities on Zoom for carers have helped me during the coronavirus lockdowns.

"They have provided time where I could do something for me that’s not to do with caring or work. In the past I’ve been unable to access these due to the time involved and work.

"It’s great that carers like me have Carers in Hertfordshire to call on if we need information or support related to caring.”

If you provide unpaid care to someone and you or they are in Hertfordshire, and you would like support from Carers in Hertfordshire or want to join in any of the Carers Week events, email [email protected] or call 01992 58 69 69.