As we welcome National Carers Week, running from 6th to 12th June, it’s a great time to highlight York Carers Centre, the local charity that gives free support and information to any unpaid carer in York.
Offering one-to-one support, groups, specialist support for young carers, workshops and advice about benefits, rights and arranging care, their services are available to anyone aged five years and above.
Are you an unpaid carer?
An unpaid carer is someone who looks after a family member or friend who could not cope without their support, and there are 19,000 unpaid carers of all ages in York. The person they care for might have a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction or may need extra help as they grow older.
Caring can mean lots of different things – it might mean managing appointments or medication for someone else, providing emotional support, or dealing with benefits agencies and social workers. For young people it might mean looking after siblings or doing extra jobs around the house like cooking, cleaning or helping someone get dressed.
Caring is often part of family life and close friendships. For some, caring is something that happens gradually when someone becomes older or has a progressive illness. For others, it arises suddenly, for example as the result of an accident or a stroke. Caring can be hugely rewarding, but it can also have an impact on all aspects of your life, such as balancing caring with your paid work or education, or making time to look after your health and wellbeing. Looking after someone without the right information and support can be tough.
Get support
If you look after someone and you would like free information, advice, support or someone to talk to, York Carers Centre are here to help. As a carer it’s important to plan for the unexpected, and York Carers Centre, along with the City of York Council, also offer a free Emergency Card scheme which any carer can join.
For more information, get in touch via their website www.yorkcarerscentre.co.uk, on social media @yorkcarers, or via telephone on 01904 715490.
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