To mark Carer’s Rights Day on November 25th, staff and volunteers from Carer Support Wiltshire will be at Salisbury General and Chippenham Hospital where they will be holding information stands at Savernake and Warminster hospitals, with our own Great Western Hospital teaming up with Swindon Carers Centre, to deliver the “don’t miss out message”.
A little bit about Carer’s Rights Day: An annual national awareness campaign organised by the Charity Carers UK, Carer’s Rights Day aims to reach as many of the 6.5 million carers in the UK as possible with information about their rights and the financial and practical help that they are entitled to; this includes benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance, respite and access to equipment and technology which can help them in their caring role.
The simple fact is that thousands of unpaid carers are unaware of their rights as carers. These events across our county aim to reach out to these unpaid carers who may be missing out on services and benefits.
Catherine Hurford, Carer Support Wiltshire Chief Executive, said “This Carer’s Rights Day on November 25th, we hope to reach as many carers as possible from Wiltshire, with information and advice about the range of support they are entitled to – whether that’s certain benefits or practical help. She continues by making the point that many carers in the county do not know what they are entitled to and how they can be helped. “Many, many carers are missing out and they don’t need to.”
Heléna Herklots, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “it is vital that you are able to get the help and advice you need, when you need it. Without this support, caring can take a serious toll on your health, finances and ability to have a life outside of caring.”
Any carer who feels they are missing out, can call and get help and advice from Carer Support Wiltshire by visiting at http://carersinwiltshire.co.uk/ or calling 01380 871690 or by going along to one of the county’s hospitals on Carers’ Rights Day.
