This Friday, 25th November, the BANES Carers’ Centre in Bath will be marking Carers Rights Day, a national day to recognise the efforts of unpaid carers across the UK.
A carer is anyone who is looking after a family member or friend who is ill, disabled or frail.
BANES Carers’ Centre, in conjunction with Carers’ Support Wiltshire, will be holding an information stand at the Carer Hub in Bath’s Royal United Hospital.
They hope to raise awareness of the tireless work of the 20,000 unpaid carers across the South West.
Staff and volunteers from BaNES Carers’ Centre and Carer Support Wiltshire will be on hand in the RUH’s main entrance, giving out information about services available for carers, and talking to carers about their entitlements.
Carers Rights Day is an annual national awareness campaign organised by the charity Carers UK. It aims to reach many of the 6.5 million carers in the UK with information about their rights, and the financial and practical help to which they are entitled.
This can include state benefits, respite and access to equipment and technology that can help them in their caring role.
The Carer Hub is a permanent information point at the RUH staffed by volunteers, who visit the wards to encourage carers to contact their local support centre.
Kathryn Jones, a carer from the BaNES area, said: “Before meeting your volunteer at the RUH, I would not really have considered myself a carer. It develops without you realising it.
“Gradually you take on more and more responsibility until you end up doing everything for the person you care for to ensure their happiness, safety and wellbeing.
“A Carer Hub volunteer handed me a BANES Carers’ Centre information leaflet. Up until that point, I had been unaware of the organisation.
“I read the leaflet and realised that I could benefit from the wonderful things that were offered and if other carers could do these things, then so could I!”
The Carer Hub is always looking for new volunteers. Hub volunteers find carers like Kathryn and let them know there is help out there should they need it. If you would like to volunteer, contact the Carers’ Centre on the details below.
Carers are encouraged to visit the information stand on Carers Rights Day, from 10:30am – 3:30pm in the RUH’s Atrium (Main Entrance) to find out more about what support is available, or contact their local Carers’ Centre.
