The MP for Copeland has commended vital carers across Copeland during Carers Week.
Carers Week will highlight that now, more than ever before, it's time for us to come together and help Make Caring Visible. The annual awareness week recognises the vital contribution made by people caring unpaid.
New research released for Carers Week shows that an additional 4.5 million people in the UK have started caring for someone who is older, disabled or living with a physical or mental illness since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Trudy, who has experience of working as a home carer, said: “Carers are vital, they offer a lifeline to so many people in our area and help them to cope in what can be very stressful situations. People who give their time for free should be applauded.”
“It is so important that we recognise the contribution carers make to their families and local communities, workplaces and society, and that they get the support they need.
West Cumbria Carers operates across Copeland and Allerdale and is currently helps to support adults’ young carers, some as young as five. Their team provides support to carers who look after a family member, relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage without their help.
Susan Whitehead Chief Executive Officer of West Cumbria Carers said: “We have just over 2260 carers on our register 264 of whom are young carers under the age of 18 years.
“Our work has changed dramatically over recent months and instead of our normal face to face support we have been in contact with all of our carers since “lockdown” and whilst most contact is via the telephone or digitally, we are still providing support.
A spokesperson for Carers Support Cumbria and its partner organisations (Carer Support South Lakes, Carlisle Carers, Eden Carers, Furness Carers and West Cumbria Carers) said:
“Everyone has a part to play in connecting unpaid Carers and helping them to get the support they need to care without putting off their own health needs or losing important relationships with others.
“This could include an employer creating Carer-friendly Policies by listening to the experiences of their workforce, a GP Practice offering an annual health check or alternative appointment times to unpaid Carers struggling to attend due to their caring responsibilities or a leisure centre offering special deals for unpaid Carers.”
