Unpaid Carers Conference 2023

CONFERENCE GAINS MOMENTUM AS PARTNERS JOIN FORCES TO SUPPORT UNPAID CARERS

With the number of unpaid carers in our communities continuing to increase, local care and support organisations are getting behind a new conference being organised in Dumfries and Galloway to support the health and wellbeing of unpaid carers.

The D&G Unpaid Carers Conference will take place at Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries on Tuesday 10 October 2023 and is open to unpaid carers, support organisations and anyone else who is interested in supporting unpaid carers. The team from Care Training and Consultancy CIC (CTC) are the driving force behind the conference, but they recognise that a partnership approach is essential if they want to maximise the impact of the conference and the benefits for unpaid carers.

Ian Seymour, General Manager at CTC is only too aware of the increasing number of unpaid carers and the impact this can have on their health and wellbeing. Ian said:

“A growing number of us are taking on caring responsibilities for our relatives, friends and neighbours but there is quite often a lack of awareness around the roles and responsibilities of an unpaid carer and limited awareness of the support that is available to 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.

Ian added: The D&G Unpaid Carers Conference in October is the first of its kind in Dumfries and Galloway and is just one of the many initiatives we are rolling out at CTC to help us on this journey to support unpaid carers. I am encouraged by the initial interest received from local organisations and unpaid carers. I hope that by bringing unpaid carers and support organisations together we will leave with a greater understanding of the experiences and support needs of unpaid carers and what we can do to support their health and wellbeing while they carry out this important role as an unpaid carer. 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 and for those who may become an unpaid carer in the future.”

Are you an unpaid carer? Are you interested in supporting unpaid carers?

If you are an unpaid carer or are interested in supporting unpaid carers, you are invited to attend the D&G Unpaid Carers Conference at Easterbrook Hall at The Crichton in Dumfries on Tuesday 10th October from 9.30am – 4pm. The conference is free, but registration is essential. Lunch will be provided. Where possible, transport to and from the conference can be arranged and a sitting service will be available to enable unpaid carers to attend the conference. The conference will include speakers, workshops and information stalls.

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

PHOTOGRAPHY:

CONFERENCE LAUNCH: Representatives from Dumfries Carers Centre, Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, Change Mental Health, Quarriers and Care Training and Consultancy CIC (CTC) gathered at Easterbrook Hall for the launch of the Unpaid Carers Conference being planned for 10 October 2023.

Left to Right: Gordon Williamson – Carer Support Worker, Change Mental Health, Laura Hough – Business Support, CTC, Andrew Forsyth – Family Wellbeing Worker, Quarriers, Fiona Gleghorn – Team Lead, CTC, Claudine Brindle – Chief Officer, Dumfries Carers Centre, Cheryl Murray – Unpaid Carer and Handling Lead, CTC, Larel Currie – Commissioning Officer, Health and Social Care Partnership, Ian Seymour – General Manager, CTC and Euan MacLean – Locality Manager, Change Mental Health.

Photo credit: Mike Bolam Photography

PRESS ENQUIRIES:

Caroline Bell, Clear as a Bell Marketing (on behalf of Care Training and Consultancy CIC) Tel: 07795371888 Email: caroline@clearasabellmarketing.co.uk

ORGANISED BY:

Care Training and Consultancy CIC, Grierson House, The Crichton, Dumfries, DG1 4ZE. SC711304 Tel: 01387 249111 Email: info@caretrain.co.uk