Six million people in the UK provide unpaid care to a relative or friend who is frail, ill or disabled. Because of this input of time, carers are often unable to pursue their own lives to the full. Three in five of us will become carers at some time in our lives. Carers are estimated to save the state around £87 billion. Carers week is to highlight the difficulty carers experience and try and get more support
The main carers benefit at present is the Carers Allowance, £53.10 for a minimum of 35 hours which is £1.52 an hour. Carers often have to give up their own employment with the knock on effect to their own pension and future employment prospects.
A survey done for Carers Week has shown that carers cover all ages from children to the elderly. The majority of carers provide over 50 hours of care each week. Over 70% of the responders had been carers for over 5 years. Most care for a close relative. Most of the carers felt they were ignored or overlooked by professionals, employers, friends, family and society. They had had a significant negative impact on their own lives. Most felt isolated and that their own health was suffering. Many have very little respite and as a result, feel they would benefit from practical support, someone to talk to and the chance to have a break.
We have our own carers support group in Selsey, the Selsey and District Support Group. This is a registered charity which helps carers lead fulfilling lives. They provide information on services available, support cares to access the help they need and involve carers in the planning and development of services. They have an Information and Support centre at 109 High Street, Selsey, and you can get them on the phone on 01243 603602. They say that tea, coffee, biscuits and a smile are always available for anyone needing emotional or practical support, or simply feels the need to see a friendly face and have a chat. They are also able to give comprehensive information for carers about all the services, support groups and help available locally. They are open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 2pm and Saturday 10am to 1pm. Their helpline is 01243 601039 and this is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week for information or if you wish to talk to someone confidentially about caring. Complementary Therapy Service offered by the Carer's Support Service Chichester
Carers can avail themselves of a bit of important "me" time and also have various complementary therapies to help you unwind. This is offered by the Carers Support Service based at 60A North Street Chichester, tele 537011, but don't worry, you do not have to travel to Chichester as the Medical Centre in Selsey have made a room available for the therapies to be done closer to home. If you are a carer and think you would like to try this out, contact the Carers Support Service on 537011 and they can make you an appoinitment. Unfortunately, they do make a small charge of £5 a session - much less than you would pay elsewhere, but if your budget is very tight, still contact them and they will see how they may be able to help in securing payment for the sessions.
Posts
