Carers Week 2008 - 9th to 15th June

This fourteenth annual Carers Week will highlight the impact caring can have on carers' health and well-being. It is organised by 10 leading charities who support carers around the UK and its theme this year is "Carers can't afford to be ill."

The key aims of Carers Week are:

• to highlight and celebrate the contribution made by carers
• to campaign for better support and services
• to promote policies and best practice that can improve the quality of carers' lives
• to reach out to "hidden" carers to put them in touch with sources of help and support

The County Council has been working with the Primary Care Trust and 2gether and we have decided to use the opportunity of Carers Week to highlight caring within our organisations. There are 3 million people in the UK juggling work and caring responsibilities for a disabled, sick or frail relative or friend. Working carers are twice as likely as non-carers to become permanently sick or disabled. (Census 2001)

Please take a look at the Carers Week display in reception.  Kathy Holmes, Carer Participation Worker for 2gether will be there to answer questions at the following times:-

Monday    9th   11.30am -12.30pm
Wednesday 11th  12.30-1.30pm
Thursday   12th     10.30am - 11.30 am

A grand Carers Festival rounds off the week on Saturday 14th June. Organised by Carers Gloucestershire, this will be held at Highnam Village Hall and there will be plenty of exciting activities for people to get involved in, as well as information stands, refreshments and entertainment. The festival is open to everyone, whether they are carers or not and should be a good day out for all the family.