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.
There are many Irish people in Britain who either care for, or are being cared for, due to the high levels of long term limiting illness in the community. Irish people have among the highest levels of limiting long term illness and self–reported poor health in England, and Irish Travellers have the highest self–reported poor health in the country and are second highest for long term sickness.
Being a carer can be a hugely rewarding experience. But for those without the right support caring can have a significant negative impact. Evidence shows that in some cases caring can cause ill health, poverty and social isolation. This is why the focus for Carers Week 2019 is getting carers connected in their communities to the right support and information.
Many of Irish in Britain’s members provide specific carer support services, such as the new monthly carers group recently set up by Irish Community Services in Bexleyheath.
As well as providing specific carer support groups, many of our member organisations run regular services such as lunch clubs and tea dances that can be a great opportunity for respite for carers.
Caring is something that can affect each and every one of us in our lifetime, whether we become a carer, or need care ourselves. Find out more about how you can get involved in carers week here
To find your local Irish organisation, visit our members page here.