National Carers Week is taking place between June 14-20 to highlight and celebrate the invaluable contribution made by carers.   

Caring is something which affects the lives of many people, with half a million carers within the Yorkshire and Humber region alone.  

North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus is using the week to highlight the number of services available to help support carers in North East Lincolnshire and help give them a life of their own. 

Last year saw the opening of the new North East Lincolnshire Carer’s Centre, officially opened by the Princess Royal in January, which has registered nearly 750 new carers since its launch. 

The centre, which opened its doors in June 2009, is the successful outcome of partnership work between North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus, North East Lincolnshire Council and The George Hardwick Foundation. The centre offers specialist advice and information, a range of relaxation therapies, carer support, befriending, counselling and access to work, training, social and leisure opportunities.    

Carers in North East Lincolnshire have also benefited from the introduction of the carers emergency alert card. The card gives carers the reassurance that in the event of an emergency or personal crisis a carer’s emergency plan is implemented to ensure the person being cared for continues to be supported while their carer is unable to do so. The cards enable carers to quickly and effectively receive support in times of crisis.  

Eligible carers can register with the service, which will provide them with the alert card and an emergency plan. The card also acts as a recognition card, giving carers the opportunity to claim discounts at local businesses, services and leisure facilities. 

Other initiatives to help carers locally include the launch of direct payments and the successful bid to secure regional funding to train staff working indirectly or directly with carers to improve the support they receive. 

Barbara Marshallsay, associate director for integrated commissioning and carers strategic lead of the Care Trust Plus, said: “Supporting carers is vital to ensure that the highest quality of life can be provided for not only the person being cared for but for the carer themselves. 

“There is a great deal of support available to carers in North East Lincolnshire to make sure they are able to have a life of their own and that the services provided locally reflect their needs. 

“Carers Week is a great opportunity to highlight why supporting carers is crucial and how unfortunately some carers miss out on things we all take for granted.” 

A week of informative and fun events for carers of all ages has been organised to celebrate Carers Week, aiming to highlight the immense contribution that carers make to our society.  

A full programme of events can be found by visiting the George Hardwick Foundation website at www.georgehardwickfoundation.org or for further details please call the North East Lincolnshire Carers Centre on 0845 3025525.