Carers Week 2021: Host of events to recognise and celebrate Shropshire’s carers
Over 40 events dedicated to carers will be taking place across Shropshire throughout Carers Week (Monday 7 June to Sunday 13 June 2021).
Carers Week logo
The programme of free events organised by the council’s Shropshire Carers Support Service, will take part between Sunday 6 June to Sunday 13 June, and will include both virtual and COVID-19-safe physical activities. Events include:
- Garden and museum visits
- Guided walks, nature trails and picnics
- Carers surgeries
- Quizzes
- Storytelling
- Art and craft sessions
- Health and wellbeing virtual sessions
- Complementary refreshments
Carers Week is an annual awareness campaign that celebrates and recognises the vital contribution of the UK’s unpaid carers – supporting family members and friends who are older, have a disability, mental or physical illness or need extra help as they grow older. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
Carers UK report that since the coronavirus pandemic over half (58%) of carers are feeling more stressed and, half saying it had an impact on their health and wellbeing, as well as their ability to take a break.
This year’s theme is ‘Making Carers Visible and Valued’, and throughout the week we’ll be showcasing some of the personal stories from local carers across the county.
Dean Carroll, Cabinet member for adult social care, said:
We know this year carers across Shropshire are continuing to face new challenges as a result of the pandemic. Many people are taking on more caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and who need support.
This Carers Week is our opportunity to say thank you to all unpaid and family carers in Shropshire, we do recognise and appreciate the valuable support you provide to others.
We hope these activities will be therapeutic and bring you joy and companionship. These events are our small way to say thank you for all that you provide.
Many studies around the world have shown that time spent in natural environments can benefit peoples mental and physical health, relieving stress, increasing immune function and improving sleep and cognitive functions.
Margarete Davies, Shropshire Council’s carers lead, said:
As we start to ease out of the third Lockdown, we’re inviting carers to reconnect with nature and join us in the natural environments of Shropshire, where we can enjoy the beauty of our countryside with others in a ‘COVID-19-safe’ way.
“Alternatively, you may like to come to one of our crafting and plant swap activities or join us virtually for a range of enjoyable and therapeutic activities designed to reduce stress and show us techniques to use in our everyday life. There are a variety of virtual activities to try: the carer wellbeing exercises daily as well as sound bathing, a way of relaxing, calming and de-stressing through waves of soothing, echoing sound or simply listen to a story by renowned storyteller Jake Evans, that takes you on a wild journey while remaining at home. You can choose one or several activities or why not try them all!
“Whether you want to immerse yourself in a forest or join activities from home, we hope you will find something for you, and look forward to you joining us during the week.
Competition
Carers will also have the chance to win one year’s membership to the Dorothy Clive Gardens. To enter the competition, we’re asking carers to write two sentences on “Why I identified as a carer” and submit to Shropshire.carers@shropshire.gov.uk
The two lucky winners will each receive one-year membership (2 people entitled to enter with each membership) to visit Dorothy Clive Gardens. Closing date for submissions will be Sunday 13 June 2021. Winners will be notified by email on Tuesday 15 June 2021.
Margarete continued:
“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those that have generously donated gifts for Carers Week and those who have given up their time to present activities and talks.”
For Shropshire Carers calendar of activities and further details please click here to see the full programme. Virtual activities can be accessed by clicking on the links provided in the events programme.
Booking is required for all ‘in person’ activities. (If transport is an issue, please discuss when booking onto an activity).
To book contact: Shropshire Carers on 01743 341995 or email: Shropshire.Carers@shropshire.gov.uk
For more information about Shropshire Carers Support Service click here.
Hundreds of activities are taking place across the country during Carers Week and many people have Added Their Voice on the Carers Week website to make caring visible this year. To find out more Carers Week visit https://www.carersweek.org/.
Further information
Thank you to all the contributors to Carers Week in Shropshire
- Dorothy Clive Gardens
- Powis Castle Gardens
- Hodnet Hall Gardens
- Alderford Lake
- Bishop Castle Befriending Circle
- Ludlow Farm Shop
- Shrewsbury Food Hub
- Percy Throwers Garden Centre
- Convent of Poor Clare’s, Monastery of Our Lady and St. Joseph. Ellesmere
- Grange Wood – Chris and Gaynor Hogarth
- Shropshire Museums
- Derwen College
- Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
- Babbinswood Organic Farm
- Fordhall Organic Farm
- AAMAR Healing
- Jake Evans Story Teller
- Trixie Field Music
- Whittington Castle
- Severn Valley Country Park
- Cavalier Centre
- Shropshire Hills
- Acton Scott
- Wem Senior Club
What is a carer?
A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness, substance misuse issue, or who needs extra help as they grow older.
For some, taking on a caring role can be sudden: someone in your family has an accident or your child is born with a disability. For others, caring responsibilities can grow gradually over time: your parents can’t manage on their own any longer or your partner’s mental or physical health gradually worsens.
The amount and type of support that carers provide varies considerably. It can range from a few hours a week, such as picking up prescriptions and preparing meals, to providing emotional support or personal care day and night.
Caring will touch each and every one of us in our lifetime, whether we become a carer or need care ourselves. Whilst caring can be a rewarding experience, it can also have a huge impact on a person’s health, finances and relationships.
