Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction, or who needs extra help as they grow older. It isn’t someone who volunteers or is employed to provide support.
This year the theme is 'Caring About Equality (external link)' highlighting the inequalities faced by unpaid carers, including a greater risk of poverty, social isolation, poor mental and physical health.
We want to offer information, advice and support to all unpaid cares across our borough so will be visiting various locations on our Carers Roadshow. We will be joined at events by our Income Maximisation Team who can offer friendly, expert advice around welfare and benefits to make sure you are in receipt on all current entitlements based on your circumstances. Find out more information on the Help to claim - Cost of living support events web page.
Our Partners at Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre will also be on hand to help you to register as a carer and find out about the range of support you can access to support you in your caring role. Along the roadshow we will be joining some of our digital team’s Techmate Tea Parties for anyone looking for support with basic digital skills. Find an event near you and come along to chat to a welcoming team.
Carers Roadshow
- Tuesday 3rd June - The Brick Pantry, 10am-3pm
- Wednesday 4th June - Techmate Tea Party, The Globe Standish, 10am-12pm
- Wednesday 4th June - Wigan Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, 10am- 3pm
- Thursday 5th June - St Nathaniels Food Pantry, 9am-12pm
- Friday 6th June - Techmate Tea Party, Shevington Methodist Church, 10.30am-12pm
- Friday 6th June - Old Henry Street Medical Centre, 10am-1pm
- Monday 9th June - Wigan Library, 10am-3pm (Techmate Tea Party 11.30-1pm)
- Monday 9th June - Carers Coffee morning for Carers of Stroke Survivors, Think Ahead Stroke, 11am-12.30pm
- Monday 9th June - Chandler House, 10am-1pm
- Tuesday 10th June - Spinning Gate Shopping Centre, 10am-3pm
- Tuesday 10th June - Parr Bridge Health and Wellbeing Centre, 11am-1pm
- Wednesday 11th June - Atherton Health Centre, 11am-1pm
- Wednesday 11th June - Leigh Library, 10am-3pm
- Thursday 12th June - Grand Arcade Wigan, 10am-3pm
- Thursday 12th June - Pennygate Medical Centre,2pm-6pm
- Friday 13th June - Greengrass Community Centre, 10am-2pm.
Adult Learning And Skills - Creative Carers
The Wigan Adult Learning and Skills Team will be offering ‘Creative Carers’ sessions to welcome all unpaid carers to take some time for themselves and meet other carers.
These sessions are FREE creative wellbeing sessions where you can spend time for yourself, taking part in relaxing and creative activities that will aim to enhance your overall health and wellbeing.
- Tuesday 10th June - Community Room Leigh Library, 10am-12.30pm
- Thursday 12th June - Mezzanine level, Wigan Library, 12.30-3pm.
For any further information or enquiries about any of the events, please contact the Carers Mailbox.