Swindon Carers Centre to hold Carers Rights Day event

Charity Swindon Carers Centre will be marking Carers Rights Day this month with an event focusing on the impact of the cost-of-living crisis for unpaid carers.

Each year, Carers Rights Day helps to ensure carers are aware of their rights, they know where to get help and support, and raise awareness of the needs of carers.

This year’s event will take place on Friday 25 November.

The day is said to be for anyone supporting a family member or friend, unpaid – whether they are new to their caring role or have been caring for a while.

The event, taking place at The Platform, Faringdon Road, Swindon, from 10am - 1.30pm, will give carers the chance to hear from health and social care leaders in Swindon.

It will also discuss the cost of caring, which the Centre says can have a significant impact on a carer’s finances, employment options and personal health and wellbeing.

In a national survey from Carers UK, 77% of carers said that the rising cost of living was one of the main challenges they would face over the coming year.

Presenters in attendance on the day will include: Steve Maddern, Director of Public Health, Swindon; Sarah-Jane Peffers, Associate Director of Patient Safety and Quality, NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Integrated Care Board; David Miles, Public Health Practitioner – Affordable Warmth; and Swindon Citizens Advice.

Swindon Carers Centre says that carers will also have the chance to question health and social care leaders during a Q&A session involving Swindon MPs Sir Robert Buckland and Justin Tomlinson, as well as Alison Barker (Corporate Director – Adults, Health and Housing, Swindon Borough Council), Tim Saint (Benefits Service Coordinator at Swindon Carers Centre) and Claire Newport (Chief Executive, Citizens Advice Swindon).

Swindon carers can submit a question for this Q&A in advance, as well as on the day itself. Questions can be submitted by emailing [email protected].

From 12.15pm, a marketplace will be open, giving carers the opportunity to speak further with local organisations and services able to offer support, information and advice.

Stalls at the marketplace will include representatives from the Swindon Carers Centre Welfare and Benefits Team, Swindon Citizens Advice, Warm and Safe Wiltshire, Thames Water, Swindon Food Collective, Phoenix Enterprises, the Neuro Wellbeing Centre, Healthwatch Swindon, Dressability, Swindon Borough Council Family Hubs and Mark Tidey, Food Partnerships Officer at Swindon Borough Council.

Swindon Carers Centre CEO Susanna Jones said: “Many of our carers are facing challenges because of the UK’s current cost-of-living crisis, placing further stress on what can already be a challenging role.

“When you’re caring for someone who is unwell or frail, it’s common to have higher energy bills. This may be needed to keep them warm, or to power vital equipment – such as stair lifts, hoists, ventilators, monitors and feeding machines.

“We hope that carers in Swindon will take up this opportunity to listen in to key decision makers, and to have their say, helping us to create a community where carers are truly recognised, valued and supported.”

More information about Swindon Carers Centre can be found on its website at https://www.swindoncarers.org.uk/