Caring can be rewarding but also challenging, and many carers are currently dealing with more challenges than ever before. It is important that carers know how to look after their own health and wellbeing, and that we all recognise the contribution that carers make.
This Carers Week, we’re recognising that now, more than ever before, it’s time for us to come together and help Make Caring Visible.
Around 6.5 million carers in the UK are propping up the NHS by keeping loved ones safe at home. Where is their recognition? Read more from The Guardian
Unpaid carers ‘invisible’ during pandemic. “We are the plaster in the walls – you don’t see us, we just hold everything together.” Read more from BBC News
What can you do to make carers visible?
Everyone has a part to play in making sure these carers are seen, heard, and understood; and helping them to get the support they need to care.
This could include an employer setting up an online carers’ network, a GP practice offering an annual health check or alternative appointment times to carers, or a business offering special deals or priority access for carers. Or it could be each of us reaching out to our family, friends or neighbours, who we know are caring for someone, and letting them know that we are there for them too.
See more at : https://www.carersweek.org/about-us/making-caring-visible
Resources for carers
- Guidance for those who provide unpaid care to friends or family
- Guidance for Parents and Carers
- Guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice and support for parents and carers
- Recommendations for Carers
- Digital Social Care have launched a free helpline to support adult social care providers with the rapid uptake in technology necessitated by COVID-19.
- CQC (Care Quality Commission): COVID-19: CQC updates for healthcare professionals
- CQC (Care Quality Commission): COVID-19: CQC update for adult social care providers
- Carers MK: important coronavirus update re the services in Milton Keynes
- ‘Supporting the bereaved’ training video
Local services:
Support to carers of those who care for those with illness, physical disability, frailty, learning disability, mental health issues, addiction or additional needs. Delivering information, advice and guidance services remotely and have relevant information on their website.
Telephone: 01908 231703
Email: mail@carersmiltonkeynes.org
Information pages offering tips, guidance and advice for parents, children and carers during the covid-19 pandemic. Helpline still available as well as email support.
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Telephone: 0808 800 5000
(Mon – Fri 8am – 10pm or 9am – 6pm at weekends) Calls are free and anonymous.
Our Frontline is a resource to support frontline health, care, emergency and key workers which offers round the clock one to one confidential mental health and bereavement support, by call or text.
Text: FRONTLINE to 85258 Telephone: 116 123 for a
conversation with a trained volunteer
Visit: www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/ourfrontline/ for online resources.
Online / digital support to those living with dementia, as well as their carers. Offering a Dementia Connect Support Helpline. The Dementia Information Service at Alzheimer’s Society is still able to support people with dementia, people with memory concerns and carers.
Helpline: 0333 150 3456 (Open: Mon – Weds 9am -8pm, Thurs – Fri 9am – 5pm, Sat – Sun 10am – 4pm)
Dementia Talking Point Forum here
Dementia Information Service
Telephone: 07784224494 / 07484516433Email: dementiainformation.service@nhs.net