Claire Nicholls
Special events will bring support for carers
Throughout this week, carers across Paisley will be able to get information and support from a series of special events to mark Carers Week.
National Carers Week at the Renfrewshire Carers Centre was officially opened by provost Lorraine Cameron and will run until Sunday.
Throughout the week, the centre will host a selection of fun-filled activities in a bid to raise awareness for carers and emphasis the importance for carers to look after their own health and wellbeing.
Individuals looking after loved ones can often find it difficult to identify as carers and, as a result, feel unable to access support.
Tracey Wallace, office manager at Renfrewshire Carers Centre, said: “Caring can be very isolating and many people don’t know how much support is available.
“This week is all about sharing that information and spreading awareness but it also goes beyond that.
“We hope our series of events across the week will help bring everyone together and help carers to access peer support and build relationships.
“Carers can become very isolated in their roles and can become distant from friends and family.
“Events like this can bring carers together to share stories and experiences and hopefully make long-lasting friendships.”
By spending all their time looking after a loved one, carers can sacrifice their own wellbeing and can find it challenging to get enough sleep, food and exercise.
Tracey said: “Often when people see carers in the street they only ask how their mum, their child or their partner is, they don’t ask about the carer’s health.
“We want people to know when they come into the centre, we are going to ask them how they are and give the help they need.”
Carers are invited to drop into the centre throughout the week and join in various activities from flower arranging and fitness sessions today, to a pamper day tomorrow.
The week will end with a young carers’disco on Friday night at the Wynd Centre. For more details on any of the activities, phone 0141 887 3643 or email enquiries@ renfrewshirecarers.org.uk