Carers Week 2020

Did you know, there are 6.5 million people in the UK who are carers?

This week is Carers Week – an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.

It also helps those who don’t think of themselves as carers to identify that they are and get access to much-needed support.

At Nelsons, our specialist Medical Negligence team see first-hand the vital role that carers have to play and so we understand and appreciate what being a carer entails.

We’re therefore using Carers Week 2020 to reflect on this and raise awareness of the cause in the hope that more people can reach and access support wherever needed.

Challenges of being a carer

In our Medical Negligence team, we all too often represent clients who have suffered injuries as a result of negligence, which mean that they will require additional care. This can be providing additional care over a finite period of time, until the client recovers. However, it can also be longer-term care, perhaps for life, as the result of a devastating injury.

Whatever it entails, becoming a carer is a rewarding, but very challenging role.

We see that it is family and loved ones who selflessly step forward in times of need, providing care to the injured party.

Carers need to step in and assist with so many aspects of life for their loved one, and this is usually completely unpaid. Before they know it, their role as carer seems to become a full time job.

This can impact the life of the carer in more ways than they could ever have anticipated. Giving up so much time to care for someone can impact relationships, finances and the ability to work. In addition, caring can be isolating and lonely.

The challenges carers face and the role they take on shouldn’t be underestimated and it is important that everyone knows where they can access information and support to help them through.

Carers Week 2020

Carers Week 2020 recognises that this year, carers across the country are facing even more challenges as a result of the coronavirus and this has meant that even more are taking on the role of carer for relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and need that support.

Therefore, the theme of this year’s campaign is to Make Caring Visible.

With this in mind, raising awareness of carers and the challenges they face can help us all better support carers and recognise the contribution they make.

Carers Week is also a chance for carers in the community to share experiences and build new friendships. Keeping in touch is vital to carers to help prevent the feelings of isolation and loneliness.

The Carers Week website provides helpful information and resources for those wanting to get involved in the initiative, but also for carers themselves.

I’ve added my voice to the campaign and pledged to raise awareness by writing this blog and sharing information with my colleagues.