WHAT IS CARERS WEEK?
Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

This year we are coming together to Make Caring Visible and Valued.

WHEN IS CARERS WEEK?
This year, Carers Week will take place from Mon, 7 Jun 2021 to Sun, 13 Jun 2021.

WHO IS A CARER?
A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, partner or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, or who needs extra help as they grow older. It isn’t someone who volunteers or is employed to provide support.

AM I A CARER?
If you provide any of the following unpaid support to a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental ill-health or substance misuse, then YES, you ARE a carer.

• Emotional support

• Medical care

• Personal care

• Physical care

• Domestic Task
  

I’M A CARER AND NEED SUPPORT?
Gloucestershire Carers Hub have friendly, local and trained advisors who offer a safe space to over 18s to talk about you and your caring role. They will work with you to identify how they, or other services, can support you and can provide information and advice on a wide range of subjects or just be there to listen.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN CONTACTING GLOUCESTERSHIRE CARERS HUB?
Gloucestershire Carers Hub provided a free service as part of the NHS and Gloucestershire County Council. You can self-refer, or refer another person by phone or online by clicking here.

The video below shows an example of a self-referral taking place over the phone.

I’M A UNDER 18 AND CARING FOR A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY. WHERE CAN I GET SUPPORT?
Gloucestershire Young Carers provide a range of services for young carers aged 8–24 and their families.

With yours and your family’s agreement anyone can refer a you to Gloucestershire Young Carers – this could be yourself, a member of your family, a family friend or a professional working with your family (eg. GPs, social workers, health workers, teachers, educational staff and community workers).

To find out more about Gloucestershire Young Carers, click here to visit their website.

HOW MANY CARERS ARE THERE IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE?
In the 2011 census there were approximately 63,000 carers in Gloucestershire. This includes an estimated 7000 young carers.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CARERS WEEK?
Carers Week has it’s very own website with plenty of information available. Click here to visit their homepage.

IS THERE ANY OTHER SUPPORT OR INFORMATION AVAILABLE?
Caring can be hugely rewarding but it can also have an impact on all aspects of your life. Here are other organisations that offer support to carers.

Carers Week - https://www.carersweek.org/
Carers Trust - https://carers.org/
Carers UK - https://www.carersuk.org/
Age UK - https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/helping-a-loved-one/