Local NHS trust championing Carers’ Rights Day 2010
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is supporting Carers’ Rights Day on Friday 3rd December by reminding carers across Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield to ‘know their rights’.
The Trust recognises the valuable role carers play in looking after and supporting people with mental health problems and learning disabilities, and believes it is vital to remember the needs of carers as well as the needs of people who use the Trust’s services, and support them as best they can.
The facts about carers in the UK are: • 1 in 8 adults (around six million people) are carers. • By 2037, it’s anticipated that the number of carers will increase to 9 million • Every day another 6,000 people take on a caring responsibility – that equals over 2 million people each year. • 58% of carers are women and 42% are men • Over 1 million people care for more than one person
Carers’ Rights Day 2010 will focus on ensuring that carers get all the support they are entitled to now and for their future and how the new protections for carers in the Equality Act 2010 will impact their lives.
The day guides carers towards practical support, which is vital in maintaining carers’ health and wellbeing and can help to ensure that they don’t feel push out of society.
The Trust runs dialogue and support groups for carers to give them the opportunity to have their say on issues that affect them.and to direct them towards information to help them ‘know their rights’, which is the theme of this year’s awareness day.
The Trust recently launched a brand new dialogue group for carers in North Kirklees to give carers the chance to speak face-to-face with managers of local mental health, meet other carers who want to influence services, raise issues and get answers to their questions.
Head of inclusion and involvement Phil Walters said: "Carers want the same life chances that other people enjoy – good health, financial security, the right to a family life, work opportunities and the chance to pursue their own interests. Carers’ Rights Day raises awareness and helps carers access the support they deserve."
It is important that carers new and old know their rights. Each year a further two million people become carers for the first time and they need straightforward and accessible information about their entitlements.
More information on Carers UK and how to get involved with this year’s Carers’ Rights Day can be found online at www.Carersuk.org. To find out about carer or dialogue groups held by the Trust in the local area call freephone 0800 587 2108 or email inclusion@swyt.nhs.uk