Carers Week – making caring visible, valued and supported, across the Bradford district
The charity supports unpaid carers; anyone who looks after a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness, addiction or frailty.
The theme of this year’s Carers Week is ‘making caring visible, valued and supported’.
Chris Whiley, Carers’ Resource CEO, said: “We have supported carers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and we’ve seen the huge impact these tough times have had on the lives of carers and their loved ones.
“We are delighted we are now able to offer more and more face-to-face groups and activities, which are an important part of helping carers feel valued and supported.
“During Carers Week we have a great range of events taking place, which we hope carers will find relaxing and enjoyable.
“We’ll also be getting out and about in our communities to raise awareness and visibility of carers – and help people recognise themselves as carers so they can access much-needed support.
“It’s more important than ever to raise awareness of the incredible contribution unpaid carers make to families and communities.”
Fatima Khan-Shah, who leads the unpaid carers programme and is an Associate Director at the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, said: “Carers Week is a fantastic opportunity to recognise the contribution of all carers from different backgrounds and ages to their families and local communities, workplaces and society. Caring impacts on all aspects of life from relationships to health and finances and without the right information and support can be incredibly tough, so please do contact your local carer organisation.”
Carers' Resource highlights during the week
- The Bradford Allotment Carers Week celebration at Undercliffe Allotments, with a willow-weaving workshop and a drumming session, on Tuesday June 7, 10am-1pm.
- On Monday June 6 there is a friendly drop-in group, open to carers and the people they care for, at Oakworth Methodist Church, Keighley, from 1.30pm-3.30pm, and the Baildon Carers Group at St Hugh’s Centre from 2pm to 3pm.
- On Tuesday June 7 there will be a Wellbeing for Carers Week session at the Carers’ Resource base in Shipley, from 10am-11.30am, a Carer Craft and Chat session at The life Centre in Bierley from 10am to 12 noon, and the Ilkley Carers Coffee and Cake group at the Clarke-Foley Centre from 10.30am-12 noon.
- On Wednesday June 8 the Cliffe Castle Stroll in Keighley takes place from 10am, and there will be a Carers Week Special Men on a Boat Trip event in a narrow boat travelling from Saltaire.
- The You are Not Alone – Child to Parent Violence Support Group is running from 10am to 12 noon on Thursday June 9 at Carers’ Resource in Shipley, and the SEND Parent Carer Group will also run from 11am to 1pm. The STAR Club Parent Carer Drop-in is in the Culture Fusion Building on Thursday eveing from 6.30pm-8.30pm.
Other events include the new Carers’ Resource video showing on the big screen in Bradford city centre, in a range of community languages, and Carers’ Resource staff will be popping up at Kirkgate Shopping Centre in Bradford on Tuesday June 7 from 9.30am to 12.30pm. The Keighley team will be joining Modality GP surgery staff for a event in the Airedale Centre on Thursday June 9 from 11am to 2pm.
Alternatively, call Carers’ Resource on 01274 449660 for more information.
Message in a Bottle
To mark the week, West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership and Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust are teaming up to raise vital awareness of the ‘Message in a Bottle’ initiative.
‘Message in a Bottle’ is a simple and effective way for people to share their basic personal and medical details, including contingency planning for caring responsibilities, in an emergency. This written information is kept in a bottle in a common location in the home – the fridge.
