This week is Carers Week — and I’d like to do my bit to raise the profile of everyone who is caring for a loved one.
Carers can be anyone. I’m not talking about paid nurses, doctors and helpers. I’m talking about everyday folk who suddenly find that they have turned into a full-time carer for a parent, partner, relative or child. These are people who didn’t ask to become carers; it just happened for them because that’s the way it is.
There are more than 6,000,000 carers in the UK. People like you and me, who have given up their normal lives to look after loved ones at home. They get some money from the State, and a little bit of practical support. But for the most part, they are left to fend for themselves 24/7.
Carers Week is organised by a partnership of eight national charities and over a 1,000 local partners – including other charities, GPs surgeries and many other parts of the NHS, local councils and the private sector. Over 100,000 carers take part in the thousands of activities and events, held in every part of the UK.
Please provide your support for Britain’s hidden army of helpers. If you know someone who’s a carer, please be their friend. And please raise awareness for folk that care.
You can find out more at the Carers Week website or show your support by ‘liking’ their Facebook page.
And here’s a short account of what it’s like to be a carer.
Bepton Ranger 