Recognising and supporting carers

The Wokingham Carers Partnership is organising a series of free events to celebrate Carers Week 2023 (5 to 11 June).

Carers Week is organised every year by Carers UK and Carers Trust, with a different theme each year drawing attention to issues facing carers across the UK.

The theme for this year’s national campaign is about recognising and supporting carers in the community.

This reflects the role of the many unpaid carers who look after a friend or relative, often without seeing what they do as caring.

Wokingham Borough Council launched The Wokingham Carers Partnership at the beginning of April, building and expanding on existing carers services.

The partnership is made up of three organisations from the voluntary sector: Age UK Berkshire; Promise Inclusion; and Berkshire Youth.

Events on offer

• Monday 5 June, 7pm to 8pm – An online information workshop for all carers about the Wokingham Wellbeing Service with MIND in Berkshire
• Tuesday 6 June, 9.30am to 12noon – Citizens Advice bus at Tesco on Finchampstead Road in Wokingham
• Tuesday 6 June, 11am to 1.30pm – Information and advice event at Coronation Hall in Woodley
• Wednesday 7 June, 12noon to 2pm – Carer’s lunch at the Bradbury Centre in Wokingham
• Thursday 8 June, 1.30pm to 3pm – ‘You said, we listened’: A chance to have your say about what matters to you as a carer at the Charity and Community Hub at Waterford House in Wokingham
• Thursday 8 June, 7pm to 9pm – Carer’s relaxation evening at WADE Day Centre in Wokingham

For more information, or to book a place for an event, call 07708 471756 or send an email.

Giving carers access to the help they deserve

At the last census, 7.3 per cent of the population of Wokingham Borough was identified as an unpaid carer.

Cllr David Hare, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services, said: “It is great to see another Carers Week with lots of informative and meaningful events that can give local carers the help they deserve to continue looking after some of our most vulnerable residents.

“Supporting our carers – both in an out of this hugely important role – is something we take very seriously.

“Although the new partnership has not been running for long, it is already starting to have the effect we intended, which is to reach and support carers and tell them about the help they can access.

“Caring is rewarding, but we understand it is also challenging and we hope to bring people closer to the services that can help them this Carers Week, as well as an opportunity to say a huge thank you.”

New service, new priorities

The new service was developed in consultation with local carers, who identified the following priorities:

• Information in the right format and at the right time
• Help to stay emotionally and physically capable of continuing with their caring role
• In-person support and guidance when they need it
   

The council is committed to support residents who are carers, both in and out of their role.

This means providing timely and effective advice and guidance, as well as opportunities for respite through short break and social gatherings with like-minded people.

To get help from the new service, email carers@AgeUKBerkshire.org.uk or call (0118) 9594242.