Carers Week 2011
The 13th – 19th of June 2011 marks Carers Week, a week to celebrate and support the hard work of Britain’s six million unpaid carers who are providing support for a family member of friend in need of help.
Whilst adopting a caring role can be extremely rewarding for some, for others it can result in poverty, isolation, poor health and depression.
In extreme situations the stress of caring can result in the relationship between carers and the cared for becoming fraught and distant. Significant changes in relationships mean that both parties could become resentful of one another, with carers feeling that they have had to make huge sacrifices perhaps in their social life, work and financially to be able to care.
Other carers may fail to recognise that they are even carers at all may be and eligible for financial aid. Those who are looking after a parent or spouse who has suddenly become disabled may have naturally fallen into the role of carer without really considering the long-term obligations and responsibilities.
The aim of carers week is to increase awareness of the difficulties carers face and to spread the message that carers need some caring for too.
There are numerous organisations and support networks up and down the country which provide advice for carers on anything and everything from claiming benefits through to accessing counselling services and taking a break from the caring role.
For further information about the event please visit the Carers Week website at www.carersweek.org