National Carers' Week 2009 and 2010 in South Lakeland

 National Carers' Week 2010 will be from 14th - 20th June

Latest news at  www.carersweek.org

National Carers' Week 2009 was from 9th-14th June It highlighted the vital work done by those who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled. This year, the theme for the week was 'Carers… The UK’s secret service' and called for greater recognition for carers for the incredible contribution they make to their families and communities.

Many carers in South Lakeland suffer due to a lack of understanding about what they do – some don’t even recognise themselves as carers. This has a real and negative impact on their health, finances, working and social life, and general wellbeing.

Our events during National Carers' Week 2009 were a sample of many activities and services that South Lakeland Carers  provides to support carers and make their lives as easy as possible.

Elsewhere in Cumbria

Carlisle Carers Association
Alan Bell   - 
Carers Resource Centre
1st Floor Fusehill Medical Centre
Fusehill Street
Carlisle, Cumbria  CA1 2HE
01228 542 156  - alan@carlislecarers.co.uk

As part of Carers Week 2009, Making Space,in partnership with Carlisle Carers will be working with other organisers to highlight caring roles people undertake on a daily basis. These may include mental health, physical disability and others.12th June we're organising 7 marques to be erected in Carlisle

Total number of events: 17

Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation trust
Debbie Corrie  - 
The Carleton Clinic
Cumwhinton Drive, Carlisle
Cumbria  CA1 3SX
01228 602857  - debbie.corrie@cumbria.nhs.uk

Total number of events: 2

Eden Carers
Cilla Clarke  - 
Gloucester Yard
Great Dockray
Penrith, Cumbria
CA11 7DE
01768 890280  - cilla@edencarers.co.uk

Total number of events: 28

Furness Carers
Jo White  - 
Hindpool Community Centre
Nelson Street
Barrow-in-Furness
Cumbria  LA13 0RG
01229 822822  - jowhite@frunesscarers.co.uk

On Tuesday 9th June at 1.30 - 3pm we will be holding an open day at our new Barrow support group which has moved from Robin House, Nelson Street to Furness Carers meeting room at Hindpool Community Centre, Nelson Street, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 1NF (next door).

Total number of events: 19

Macmillan Cancer Support
Kath Palmer  - 
Cancer Services
Cumberland Infirmary
Carlisle,  CA2 7HY
01228 547296  - mikeadi@hotmail.com

Total number of events: 7

Along with many other events that took place across the UK in 2009, South Lakeland Carers organised -

An Information Point for Carers
This operated in the foyer just inside the main entrance at Westmorland General Hospital. Anyone visiting the hospital during these times was able to make contact with SLCA staff in attendance.

Celebrities Support Campaign
National Carers' Week 2009 was also supported by the actor Sir David Jason, who cared for his girlfriend before her death from breast cancer.

Sir David said: “Having been a carer myself, I am all too aware of the huge burden on those who are looking after a loved one and the daily struggles they face. Carers really are the unsung heroes of our society and all too often they struggle to get the recognition they deserve. I’m proud to be part of National Carers Week and lend my voice to the call for more support and services for carers”.

Other celebrities supporting the campaign all of whom have had experience of caring included: Sir Geoff Hurst, Fiona Phillips, Jonathan Dimbleby and Arlene Phillips