Support for carers

Praise for volunteers

West Lothian Council’s Advice Shop, Carers of West, and Macmillan Cancer Support are supporting the national Carers’ Week campaign by raising awareness and offering advice and support to carers across West Lothian.

Carers’ Week, which runs from which runs from Monday, June 6 to Sunday, June 12, is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges carers face and recognise the contribution carers make to families and communities throughout the UK.

There are at least 657,000 carers in Scotland and there are thousands more hidden carers who are not being supported by services.

Executive councillor for health and social care, Anne McMillan said: “People who dedicate their lives to looking after loved ones are exceptional people who play a vital role in supporting their loved ones and in the process they face challenges themselves.

“Carers’ Week aims to raise awareness that they need to care for themselves properly while also caring for someone else.

“I would urge anyone who needs support to make contact and find out more about what is available locally, whether it is help with benefits, advice, respite care or to find support groups.”

Mary-Denise McKernan, Manager of Carers of West Lothian, added: “The specific support we provide to carers is determined according to their personal situation, such as those who are balancing employment with their caring responsibilities, or people who have experienced a change or are at the end of their caring role.

“Carers’ Week is an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges that carers face, and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities.”

For more information contact West Lothian Advice Shop call on 01506 283000, Carers of West Lothian on 01506 448000 or Macmillan Cancer Support on 0808 8080000.