Unpaid carers are being invited to share their stories and help improve the lives of others, at events marking Carers Rights Day in Bradford, Harrogate, Craven and Selby.
People who look after their relatives or friends are being asked:
- “What are the biggest challenges for you as a carer?” and
- “What would make your life as a carer easier?”
Carers’ Resource is holding events at its offices in Skipton, Harrogate and Shipley on national Carers Rights Day, Thursday November 23rd, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. An event will also be held at the Selby Carers Coffee Morning at Selby Bowling Club on Monday 20th November from 11am-1pm.
North Yorkshire Council and Bradford Council are currently developing new strategies for unpaid carers, and Carers’ Resource wants to ensure that the voices of people looking after relatives and friends are heard.
Chris Whiley, CEO of Carers’ Resource, said: “Carers’ voices are crucial and we want to make sure they are heard by local councils and health authorities as they plan for the future.
“If you are an unpaid carer, looking after a relative or friend who could not cope without you, please do come along to our events and tell us your story.
“We want to know: what do you struggle with most as an unpaid carer, and what would help you to cope better? What do you want to say to the people who fund and develop your health and social care services?”
Representatives of the local councils are being invited to the events, and refreshments will be served. There is no need to book a place but carers are asked to email engage@carersresource.org to register attendance if possible.
Any carers who cannot attend, but would like to contribute to the conversation, can visit www.carersresource.org/carers-rights-day and share their stories using the website form, or email engage@carersresource.org
Carers’ Resource will also be holding stands in local supermarkets for Carers Rights Day, and a group of young carers is making a podcast to be launched on the day.
Who is a carer and what are their rights?
A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, frailty, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.
A carer may be any age including:
- A young carer under 18 years of age.
- A parent carer caring for a child with additional support needs (diagnosed and undiagnosed).
- A friend or neighbour providing support to someone who is vulnerable.
- A husband, wife or partner.
- A person caring for an elderly parent who needs support.
Caring for someone can take up a few hours each week, or a carer may be caring for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Unpaid carers have rights including:
- A free flu vaccine.
- The right to be identified as a carer.
- The right to protection from discrimination.
- The right to receive a Carer’s Assessment.
- The right to discuss flexible working options.
- The right to be consulted on hospital discharge.
The Carers’ Resource office addresses are as follows:
- Bradford: 15 Park View Court, St Paul’s Road, Shipley, BD18 3DZ
- Harrogate: Unit 3, Grove Park Court, Grove Park Terrace, Harrogate HG1 4DP
- Skipton: Ronaldsway House, 36 Brook Street, Skipton, BD23 1PP
- Selby: Community House, Portholme Road, Selby, Y08 4QQ
