Local council holds special event to show support for unpaid carers during Carers Week

Showing its support for Carers Week from the 10th-16th of June, Norfolk County Council is hosting a dedicated event to recognise and celebrate the thousands of unpaid carers across Norfolk.

The event, which is being held on the 14th of June in the Forum, Norwich, between 10am-4pm, aims to highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities.

Guest speakers will talk about the Carers Charter for Norfolk which was launched last year, encouraging businesses to sign up to becoming carer-friendly and talk about the support that is available in Norfolk.

There will also be a dedicated ‘Conversations with carers’ section at the event, where a number of business people from across Norfolk will be paired with a carer to have a conversation and learn about life as an unpaid carer.

Andrew Proctor, Leader of Norfolk County Council who will be speaking at the event, commented:  “With one in nine of the workforce across the UK combining caring for a loved one with paid work it’s really important that businesses have flexible working policies in place that mean carers do not have to leave their paid jobs.

“This is good for the employee and also makes good business sense as the employer will be able to retain loyal staff and fulfil their corporate and social responsibility.”

In addition, there will be information stalls and advice available all day as well as a timetable of activities which carers are encouraged to book onto, including laughter yoga and a wellbeing workshop.

The day is a chance for carers to come together and celebrate their role as a carer, as well as getting information and support to help with their own wellbeing.

Alongside the event, Norfolk County Council will also be using Carers Week to launch a new Think Carers campaign which will be seen across Norfolk.  The campaign will encourage people to identify themselves as a carer as well as highlighting the issues of hidden carers to businesses across Norfolk.

The campaign will be run heavily on social media with the hashtag #ThinkCarers and we encourage people to join in by using the hashtag online.

Julie Brociek-Coulton, Norfolk County Council Member Champion for Carers, said: “It’s important to remember that many people do not identify themselves as a carer.  This means they are hidden, and not accessing the support services that are available to them.

“I hope that by continuing to promote our Carers Charter through our new campaign, working with businesses and holding events like this we will reach many more carers across the county.”