Half of carers known to social services care for over 50 hours a week but most lack breaks

Half of carers known to social services are providing over 50 hours a week of care but most are not being supported to take breaks, finds official research published today.

The survey of 57,680 carers, whose results were published today by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC), found that 35% were providing over 100 hours a week of care and a further 17% were providing 50-99 hours a week. Two-thirds were providing personal care and 20% had a disability themselves.

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Local businesses invited to join the Wiltshire Passport scheme for family carers

Carer Support Wiltshire is appealing to local businesses to offer discounts on their services or products to help thousands of unpaid carers in Wiltshire.

The Wiltshire Passport was introduced as a discount card for unpaid carers. So far around 50 local businesses have signed up to offer special deals to those carers who were in receipt of a Wiltshire Passport.

Businesses already taking part include beauty salons, cafés, cleaning companies, leisure centres and a number of retailers across the county.

Sue Crisfield, Development Manager at Carer Support Wiltshire, said: “Many carers are struggling financially to make ends meet with many people having to give up work in order to care for the family member or friend who needs them.

“The Wiltshire Passport gives businesses the opportunity to give something back to the local community and enables carers to save a little bit of money which could potentially make a lot of difference.”

The Wiltshire Passport is linked to the Carers Emergency Card (CEC), which is a free emergency response service providing unpaid carers with peace of mind. The scheme is managed by Carer Support Wiltshire which is jointly supported by Wiltshire Council and NHS Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

While registering for a CEC, a carer will develop an emergency support plan to provide details of what action should to be taken to support the person they care for, should they be unable to continue caring for them. They will then be issued a Wiltshire Passport.

Since January this year, 500 new carers have registered for a CEC and passport.

The 2011 Census figures reveal there are currently 47,608 people in the county who are providing unpaid care to a relative, child, partner or friend who cannot cope alone due to an illness, disability, additional need or substance misuse problem.

To find out more about joining the scheme, contact Sue Crisfield on 0800 1814118 or SueC@carersinwiltshire.co.uk

Any carers who would like to access the Wiltshire Passport discounts or support from Carer Support Wiltshire, can do so via www.carersinwiltshire.co.uk or by calling 0800 181 4118.

Notes for Editors

For more information about the Wiltshire Passport Scheme, please contact Sue Crisfield, Service Development Managerat Carer Support Wiltshire, on 0800 181 4118 or email SueC@carersinwiltshire.co.uk

The Wiltshire Passport scheme enables carers to receive small discounts or additional services from local businesses and services signed-up to the scheme. A full list of suppliers is included when a carer applies for a Carers Emergency Card.

The Carers Emergency Card is an initiative run by Wiltshire Council and managed by Carer Support Wiltshire. It will identify an individual as a carer in the event of an accident or emergency and ensure that the person they care-for receives support and care.

Carer Support Wiltshire is a registered charity that offers support, information, advice and break opportunities to people looking after family members and friends across Wiltshire. Find out more at www.carersinwiltshire.co.uk

A carer is someone of any age who provides unpaid support to family or friends who could not manage without this help. This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse issues. In the 2011 census it showed that there were 47,608 carers who provide unpaid care in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Council organises events as part of Family Learning Festival

Two weeks of free, fun events for all the family are planned in Wiltshire as part of the national Family Learning Festival.

The festival runs until November 3 and there will be a host of exciting events organised by Wiltshire Council and the Skills Funding Agency.

The aim behind the festival is to give families of all ages and backgrounds an opportunity to share some exciting and interesting activities together.

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EVENTS: Contact the Elderly tea parties

Contact the Elderly is a national organisation which holds free monthly tea parties for small groups of people aged 75 and over, who live alone and need a hand getting out and about.  Now two new groups are being set up in Devizes and Melksham, and the charity is looking to recruit both volunteers and elderly guests.

Volunteer hosts welcome a group of 6 – 10 older people and their drivers into their home once or twice a year for Sunday afternoon tea.  The only requirements are a warm heart, a listening ear, reasonably easy access to the house, and a downstairs loo.  Volunteer drivers take one or two guests to and from the party each month in their own cars and stay to enjoy the tea and chat.

For the elderly people, these parties are a lifeline of friendship – an ideal way to brighten up a Sunday.  For the volunteers, it’s a chance to hear plenty of fascinating stories, and make a real difference to the lives of some lonely older people.

If you can volunteer, or are in touch with potential guests, please contact the new local co-ordinators:

Devizes: Alison Radevsky 01380 722091 or alisonradevsky@gmail.com

Melksham: Martin Elson 01225 707534 or martin@elson.com

www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk

The first party in Devizes is scheduled for Sunday October 20^th, 2.30 – 4.30pm.

Swap skills with other generations at Devizes Corn Exchange

People can swap skills at an event to celebrate Older People’s Day at Devizes Corn Exchange on Wednesday, October 2.

The day will feature a cooking demonstration by Devizes chef Peter Vaughan and a chance to have a go at zumba, bagatelle, new age kurling, tai chi and various craft activities.

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EVENT: Swap cooking, craft and zumba skills in Devizes

Come along and celebrate Older People’s Day at a skills swap event on Wednesday 2^nd October at the Devizes Corn Exchange.

The day will feature a cooking demonstration by Peter Vaughan and a chance to have a go at zumba, bagatelle, new age kurling, tai chi and various craft activities.

There will also be an opportunity for some IT taster sessions for those wanting to learn how to use the internet.

Debbie Martindale, Events Coordinator at Carer Support Wiltshire, said: “Everyone has a parent, grandparent, colleague or friend who they can learn from so we want to celebrate later life through this event.

“This year’s Older People’s Day is all about bringing older and young people together to learn from one another and mark the huge contribution that older people make to our communities.”

The event, organised by Carer Support Wiltshire and funded by The People’s Health Lottery, will also seek to try and find hidden carers in the community who might be giving support to a family member or friend.

Members of Devizes Sixth Form will be there representing the younger generations and it is hoped that older people will come along to join in on the day.

The event will run from 12noon – 3pm and is free to attend with refreshments available.

To find out more, contact Carer Support Wiltshire on 0800 181 4118 or email info@carersinwiltshire.co.uk

ENDS

Notes for editors

For more information about the skills swap, please contact Debbie Martindale (Events Coordinator) at Carer Support Wiltshire on 0800 181 4118 or email Debbie@carersinwiltshire.co.uk

This event is being funded by The People’s Health Lottery for the specific purpose of reaching and supporting older carers.

Carer Support Wiltshire is a registered charity that offers support, information, advice and break opportunities to people looking after family members and friends across Wiltshire. Find out more at www.carersinwiltshire.co.uk

 

A carer is someone of any age who provides unpaid support to family or friends who could not manage without this help. This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse issues.

In the 2011 census it showed that there were 47,608 carers who provide unpaid care in Wiltshire.

Older People’s Day celebrates the achievements and contributions that older people make to our society and tackles negative attitudes and outdated stereotypes.