Events mark Carers Rights Day in Shropshire
Carers Rights Day will be marked in Shropshire this month with events which aim to help raise awareness of the support available to carers.
The annual, national day takes place on Friday 30 November 2012. In the county, the Social Care and Health Training team at Shropshire Council and Shropshire Rural Community Council (RCC) Carers’ Support Service have organised two events on the day at the Guildhall, Frankwell, in Shrewsbury, to share updates on carers’ rights and other useful information.
The first event, for carers, will be held from 9.30am to 12.30pm and the second event, for people who work with carers, will take place from 1pm to 4pm.
Both events will provide an overview of carers’ rights as well as an opportunity for people to discuss the support available and any problems they have experienced in their roles.
They will both include a presentation from Luke Clements, Professor at Cardiff Law School, Director of the Centre for Health and Social Care Law and a solicitor with Scott-Moncrieff Associates LLP in London. Luke represents older people, people with disabilities and their carers as well as acting as an adviser for many of the UK’s leading charities. He was also involved in the drafting of the Bills that became the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 and the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004.
Luke Clements
At both events visitors can also take a look at a range of information stands from services that provide support to family carers.
The morning event is free for family carers from Shropshire. Anybody who provides, or intends to provide, substantial care on a regular basis to a family member, friend or neighbour on an unpaid basis is a family carer.
The afternoon event is free to staff from Shropshire Council, Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust and South Staffordshire and Shropshire NHS Foundation Trust, which are all helping to fund the event, and unpaid volunteers. For other attendees the cost is £25.
Councillor Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for health and well-being, who will be at the morning event, said:
“It is important that carers have a voice and know about the support they are entitled to.
“They provide an invaluable role in our community, helping family members or friends who are ill, disabled, frail or elderly and can’t manage without their support, to remain independent and in their own homes.
“We are continually looking to develop the services provided to carers and can help with financial support (the carers direct payment), access to training, respite care, leisure opportunities, and support to return to, or remain in work.
“We know that more people could benefit from the support available but may not even realise they are a carer. Carers Rights Day provides another opportunity to raise awareness – and identify and help as many carers as possible.”
Dame Enid Bibby, DBE, Trustee of Shropshire RCC, added:
“We are delighted that Professor Luke Clements, an expert on Carers Rights will be here in Shropshire on Carers Rights Day to talk about Government welfare reform and benefit changes. Many carers fear the possible effects of these and it is vital that they are well informed and know their rights. For those unable to get along to the event there will be a recording of Professor Clements’ talk on our website.”
Places need to be booked in advance. For further information on the morning event for carers or to book a place call the Carers’ Support Service on 01743 341995.
For more details about the afternoon event for people who work with carers call Liz Finney, from Social Care and Health Training at Shropshire Council, on 01743 254731 or email liz.finney@shropshire.gov.uk
Further information
Carers Rights Day is all about getting information to carers. Each year Carers UK organises the Carers Rights Day to:
- Increase the take up of benefits
- Make sure carers know their rights
- Guide carers towards practical support
- Raise awareness of the needs of carers
For more details go to www.carersuk.org/get-involved/carers-rights-day
A brief biographical note on Luke Clements is available is at www.law.cf.ac.uk/staff/ClementsLJ
For more information about the support available to carers and how to get an assessment, please go to shropshire.gov.uk/adultcarer.nsf or call 0345 678 9005.
