Celebrating our carers
Campaign is working to make caring visible
Carers week is an annual awareness campaign to bring caring out into the open and recognise the contribution carers make to families and communities.
In the UK 6.5 million people are carers who are looking after a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness or who needs extra help as they grow older.
And this week as part of our #BigThankyou campaign we are shining a light on the role carers play in the community,
West Sussex Wellbeing says there are approximately 84,500 unpaid carers in West Sussex, with just under 17,000 people providing 50 or more hours of care per week.
What’s more, three out of five of us will become a carer at some point in our lives.
Caring impacts on all aspects of life from relationships and health to finances and work. As carers are experiencing even more challenging circumstances this year, it is vitally important that everyone recognises the contribution that carers make to their local communities, but also connect them to support to help them manage their own health and wellbeing.
The theme for Carers Week 2020 is ‘making caring visible’.
Carers Support West Sussex is an independent charity supporting family and friend carers living in West Sussex.
“The role of unpaid carer can often feel socially isolating, but we want these carers to know that they are not alone,” said CSWS’s chief executive, Sonia Mangan.
“The aim of Carers Week is to shine the light on these carers, including the many young and young adult carers, to celebrate them and to educate others on the incredibly selfless work they undertake every day. We also hope throughout the week to engage with even more carers throughout the region, either through one of our special online events, or via the CSWS support network.
“Seeking help or assistance should not be considered a shameful act, and we hope that our ongoing activities, including Carers Week, will help to boost the pride and recognition of carers in our local community, enabling them to reach out to organisations such as ourselves.
“We ask you, the wider public, to also get involved in Carers Week and support the wider ‘West Sussex Together’ initiative. Everyone has a part to play in making sure these carers are seen, heard, and understood; and in helping them to get the support they need.”
Elizabeth is a BlackAfrican carer looking after her daughter with a learning disability (challenging needs) and has been registered with CSWS since 2018.
The aim is to shine a light on these carers to celebrate them and educate others. SONIA MANGAN CSWS Chief Executive