Calderdale carers invited to have their say at special event

Carers Week 2009 is taking place next week between 8th -14th June and people in Calderdale who care for someone with a mental health problem or learning disability are invited to a special event to mark the occasion.

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is holding a dialogue group for Calderdale carers on Wednesday 10th June between 12.30 and 2.30pm at Halifax Town Hall and is encouraging local carers to attend and have their say on issues that affect them.

Carers Week highlights and celebrates the incredible contribution that carers make to society, whilst campaigning for greater recognition and support for this important group. It also sets out to inform those carers who are unaware, of the services and benefits they are entitled to.

The dialogue group will give carers the chance to speak face to face with managers of local mental health and learning disability services, meet other carers who want to influence services, raise issues and get answers to their questions.

The group meeting will coincide with the launch event of the Calderdale Carers Strategy, which will also be taking place at the town hall. The Calderdale Carers Strategy sets out what Calderdale Council and local health services intend to do over the next 5 years to recognise and support the role of carers. The dialogue group will run a special discussion topic on the strategy.

Chief executive of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Steven Michael said, “Carers play a vital role in the lives of people with mental ill-health and learning disabilities, and their contribution is invaluable. Carers are experts in understanding our services, and are well-placed to tell us how we can change and improve things. I would encourage local carers to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure their voice is heard and help improve health services."

For more information on the Calderdale Carers Dialogue Group call 01422 281325 or freephone 0800 5872108.