Carers know your rights

This Carers Rights Day, carers across the county are urged to find out their rights and what support is available to them. There are around 150,000 unpaid carers in Essex playing a vital role in supporting families and friends to live independently within their own homes and communities. While rewarding, caring can be challenging with many carers sacrificing parts of their own lives to help enrich the lives of others. Maintaining school attendance, employment, social activities and friendships can be hard and that can have an impact on a carers’ own physical, emotional and financial wellbeing. Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, Cllr John Spence said: “This Carers Rights Day I would urge anyone who cares for someone to please take a few minutes to have a read through your rights and what support is available to you. I would also like to thank carers across the county for the life-changing work they do on a daily basis.” “Looking after someone can be rewarding, but at times we understand it can be tiring and challenging. Without support, caring can take a serious toll on health, finances and wellbeing. It is therefore crucial that carers know what support we as a county council and our partners can provide. The health and wellbeing of carers matters, just as much as those they care for.” Carers Rights Day is an annual campaign lead by Carers Uk that aims to raise awareness around carers rights. It is also an opportunity to thank carers for their selfless contributions and highlight the support available to them. Earlier this year, Essex County Council (ECC) launched The Essex All-Age Carers Strategy 2022-26 which outlines how ECC and partners will support unpaid carers of all ages undertake the invaluable contribution they make to society. ECC Commitments to carers included within the strategy include: to ensure carers can easily access the information, advice, guidance and support when they need it, early into their caring role to develop professional practice and processes to improve identification and support to carers to improve transitions for carers as they move through specific phases or life events in their caring role to ensure carers have increased opportunity to access good quality support, including opportunities for breaks, to maintain their own wellbeing and those they care for to ensure carers’ needs and rights will be understood and recognised across Essex communities. to recognise that carers will be the experts that influence, shape and be involved in the decisions that are intended to improve their support and wellbeing A whole host of support is available to carers in Essex. This includes information and guidance, befriending services, counselling, financial assistance, help with breaks and respite and more. Details of support can be found here: https://www.essex.gov.uk/ are-you-a-carer

robertraymentplumber@gmail.com