Drive to ensure unpaid carers know their rights

TO celebrate Carers Rights Day today, Gloucestershire Carers Hub is holding a week of activity to make sure unpaid carers know their rights and how they can access support.

The Carers Hub, which is funded jointly by the county council and NHS, has a programme of webinars and online workshops until tomorrow, November 25, for unpaid carers.

The webinars and online workshops will cover a wide range of topics, including the cost of living, hospital updates, safeguarding, the mental capacity act and the parent carer forum.

There are also dedicated Be Empowered sessions in community locations, or online via Zoom. Email bookings@peopleplus.co.uk for more information.

Today, November 24, the Carers Hub is holding a drop-in event from 10.30am to 1.30pm at Churchdown Community Association, Parton Road, Churchdown, GL3 2JH. This will be a chance for unpaid carers to speak face to face to a wide range of professionals from organisations across the county.

There are more than 63,000 unpaid carers in Gloucestershire, one in 10 people are carers, and one in seven juggle caring responsibilities with work.

It is important for unpaid carers to know their rights and where they can access support when they need it, wherever they are in their caring journey. Whether that is in their workplace, in a healthcare setting, when interacting with professionals, or at home.

Cllr Kathy Williams, cabinet member for adult social care at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Some people don’t realise they would be classed as a carer, so they aren’t aware that a range of support is available.”

Registering as a carer is free and easy. Visit gloucestershirecarershub. co.uk or call 0300 1119000.

Support is available for young carers from Gloucestershire Young Carers. Visit glosyoungcarers.org.uk