Making sure carers know their rights

IT’S Carers Rights Day on Friday – and Warrington Borough Council is eager to ensure that all carer residents are aware of their rights and know where to get advice and support.
Cllr Pat Wright, the council’s member for statutory health and adult social care, said: “If you’re a carer, knowing your rights and what you are entitled to is so important as it can make a huge difference to your life when you are looking after someone.”
Wired adult and young carers service in Sankey Street is holding an information and advice session for carers where they will be able to find out what they are entitled to and get information on support services available in Warrington.
Representatives from a host of organisations will be on hand to give advice, including Warrington Disability Partnership, Speak Up Advocacy, Healthwatch, NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group and the council’s Families and Wellbeing Service.
Visitors will also be able to get advice on legislation that supports them, such as the Power of Attorney and provisions under the Care Act.
The event will run from 12 noon to 1.30pm and all carers are invited.
Cllr Wright will be attending Wired’s event.
She said: “Every day another 6,000 people take on a caring responsibility – that’s more than two million people each year. Many don’t identify themselves as carers and can be unaware of what support there is
to help them in their role. Sometimes carers can be caring for years and not realise what they are entitled to. We want to put that right. We also want to raise awareness of the extremely valuable role that our Warrington carers fulfil.”
There’s a great deal of practical support available, such as respite care to give carers a break and time for themselves, help with lifting and bathing and equipment and home adaptations, all of which contribute to making life a bit easier and protecting the carer’s health.
For further information visit www.carersuk.org