SPOTLIGHT ON THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF UNPAID CARERS

Unpaid carers will take centre stage at a conference aimed to support their health and wellbeing at Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries on Thursday 10th October 2024 from 9am to 4pm. This is a free event, but registration is essential.

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This will be the second year of the event, which aims to bring unpaid carers and support organisations together to understand the needs of unpaid carers and to showcase the wide range of organisations that can offer support.

The needs and experiences of unpaid carers will be the focus of the day and unpaid carers from across the region are invited to attend the one-day event to listen to the lived experiences (the ups and the downs) of other unpaid carers. There will also be an opportunity to share their own experience and to ask for information and advice. This free event will run from 9am to 4pm and everyone is welcome to attend.

The conference, which is organised by Care Training and Consultancy (CTC) based at The Crichton in Dumfries, is being supported by over 25 organisations and aims to bring people together from all walks of life to discuss the highs and lows of being an unpaid carer and what support is available, or needed, to better support the increasing number of unpaid carers, and young carers, in our schools, communities and workplaces.

There will be a series of short talks, discussions and workshops taking place throughout the day, with representatives from a wide range of support agencies and organisations on hand to speak to unpaid carers on a one-to-one basis at information stalls during the day. There will be dedicated time for speaking to stall holders or for picking up information from 9am – 10am, as well as during the lunch break and from 3.15pm – 4pm.

Being an unpaid carer is a rewarding, but demanding, role and organisers are aware of the mental, physical, financial and emotional strain of being an unpaid carer. By hosting this event, they aim to raise awareness and increase access to the support that exists and to highlight the benefits of listening to, and learning from, the lived experience of others.

The 10th October is also World Mental Health Day, so CTC and partners are keen to remind unpaid carers about the importance of looking after their own health and wellbeing too.

Schools, colleges and workplaces can play a significant part in supporting unpaid carers in their role, and conference organisers will be launching a new initiative to assist schools, colleges and businesses to understand the role of unpaid carers and what they can do to support their pupils, students and employees.

Given current trends, most of us are likely to be an unpaid carer at some point in our lives, so Ian Seymour from CTC wants everyone to start thinking more about the role of unpaid carers and what we, as a society, can do to understand and support them. “You may not be a carer now, but there is a strong possibility you will be in the future.” he said.

Ian added: “Whether people consider themselves to be an unpaid carer, now or in the future, it is important to recognise what an important, but challenging role this can be. It is not isolated to one or two people, it affects people of all ages and stages, and sometimes with little or no warning. By bringing people together at the conference, and at other meetings we hold throughout the year, we are giving unpaid carers the opportunity to share their experiences and to listen and learn from others, while making it easier for unpaid carers and support organisations to learn more about the many services and initiatives that exist to support them.

Quite often friends and relatives do not see themselves as unpaid carers or recognise the toll this can take on their own health, so at CTC we are on a journey to work with other organisations and services to identify, support and empower unpaid carers with the primary aim of protecting and improving their health and wellbeing, as well as those they care for.

The conference is also an opportunity to share good practice, celebrate the positive work that already happens in Dumfries and Galloway and to collectively influence the support that is available to unpaid carers. I can’t stress enough how many people and families are, or will be, affected by the need to care for their loved ones, and although this seems like a natural thing to do, for many it can be life changing and we want to help make life a little easier by increasing awareness of the training, support and networks that already exist. By looking after and supporting our community of unpaid carers, we are enabling them to continue caring for their loved ones at home, which can be beneficial to those being cared for, as well as relieve some of the current pressure on frontline services.”

Are you an unpaid carer or do you have an interest in supporting unpaid carers?

The conference will run from 9am to 4pm on 10th October in Easterbrook Hall. The programme is available to view below. It is free, but registration is essential. Lunch will be provided. A sitting service will be available to enable unpaid carers to attend the conference knowing that their loved ones are being looked after.

To find out more or to book your place, please visit /unpaid-carers/conference. Alternatively, please call 01387 249111 or email: conference@caretrain.co.uk

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TAKING ACTION TO SUPPORT UNPAID CARERS: Representatives from Dumfries and Galloway Carers Centre, Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, Change Mental Health, Quarriers, Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service, Relationship Scotland Dumfries and Galloway, Capability Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway LGBT Plus and Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service joined the Care Training and Consultancy CIC (CTC) team at The Crichton in Dumfries for the launch of the Unpaid Carers Conference that is due to take place at Easterbrook Hall for the second time on the 10th October 2024.

Photo credit: Mike Bolam

ORGANISED BY: Care Training and Consultancy CIC, Browne House, The Crichton, Dumfries, DG1 4ZZ. SC711304 Tel: 01387 249111 Email: info@caretrain.co.uk www.caretrain.co.uk