Coming Together to Celebrate Carers

The valuable role played by people in South Tyneside who look after someone because of illness, disability, mental health or an addiction will be recognised next week when the Council and its partners come together to recognise 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.

The theme of this year's campaign, which runs from 5 - 11 June, is 'recognising and supporting carers in the community.'

To raise awareness of caring, a number of pop-up events will be held in ten of the Borough's Welcoming Places.

South Tyneside Adult Carers Service (STACS) will be celebrating Carers Week by holding a number of wellbeing events throughout the week to give carers the opportunity to connect, chat with others and take part in some physical activity. They have organised a day trip to Whitby, a coastal walk, ten-pin bowling, and coffee mornings.

Councillor Ruth Berkley, Lead Member for Adults, Health and Independence, said: "We have around 15,000 carers in South Tyneside and it's important that we recognise the incredible role they play in our communities. Many also balance their caring responsibilities with employment and their efforts - and those of employers who support them - deserve recognition too.

"We also hope that by raising awareness of caring, we can identify those people who have caring responsibilities but may not see themselves as a carer. We can then signpost these people to support services to help them with their caring role."

Humankind Young Carers have taken on the theme of working with communities and they will be using Facebook to spread the word about support available for young carers from Connexions and the Healthy Minds Team.

A host of fun activities have also been organised by TEN Young Carers Support with activities ranging from pottery classes to a family bowling night to a chocolate workshop.

To see the full list of activities, visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/carersweek