City’s carers take centre stage
An information event for carers in Brighton and Hove is being held on Monday 8 June from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at the Brighton Hotel, 143-145 King’s Road, Brighton BN1 2PQ.
The event is the first of three funded by Brighton & Hove City Council and organised by the city’s Carers Centre to mark national Carers Week.
Carers are people who devote large amounts of time to looking after family or loved ones who have illnesses or disabilities. It is estimated that there are nearly 24,000 carers in Brighton & Hove alone, with around 20% of them in their carer role for 50 or more hours per week.
Among the support groups and agencies attending the Brighton Hotel event are the city’s Carers Centre, the council’s adult social care team, Crossroads and the Alzheimer’s Society. Light refreshments will be available.
The other events are:
- On Tuesday 9 June from 2-5pm, the Carers Centre is running a stall at the Blind Veterans UK event at the Brighton Centre
- On Wednesday 10 June, the Carers Centre is running an event for bereaved carers at their base at 18 Bedford Place, Brighton BN1 2PT.
The chair of the council’s health and wellbeing board, Councillor Daniel Yates, said: “Carers make such a massive contribution to society and I want their efforts to be more widely acknowledged.
“Many carers have difficulties with stress and isolation. Some have financial problems and are themselves in poor health.
“Our carer support team does a fantastic job supporting them, and we also fund a range of front line services delivered by the city’s Carers Centre.
“As part of Carers Week we are holding a series of events with the Carers Centre to increase awareness of carer issues among our own staff.
“We believe there are potentially thousands of local carers who aren’t currently taking advantage of the wide range of support services available to them in the city.
“We want to reach out to these people and make sure they get the help they deserve.”
To find out more about the support that’s available to carers in Brighton & Hove please phone the council’s adult social care access point team on 01273 295555 or email accesspoint@brighton-hove.gov.uk.