Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies came together on Monday with carers, local councillors and council officers, and NEWCIS (North East Wales Carers Information Service) to mark the start of Carers Week 2021.
Carers Week is an annual campaign, this year running from June 7 to June 13, to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges 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.
At the launch event at Rhuddlan Nature Reserve, James was joined by Cllr Ann Davies, Carers Champion for Denbighshire County Council, Vice-Chair of Denbighshire County Council, Cllr Christine Marston, Denbighshire County Council Lead Member for Wellbeing and Independence, Cllr Bobby Feely, and Mayor of Rhuddlan, Cllr Mike Elgin.
The event was also attended by carers from the area and their families.
Speaking after the event, James said:
“It is vitally important that we recognise the contribution carers make to their families and local communities, workplaces and society, and that they get the support they need, particularly given the impact of the pandemic.
“Since March last year we have seen many more people taking on caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and who need support.
“A new report by Age UK found that almost three quarters (74%) of carers are reporting feeling exhausted and worn out as a result of caring for a friend or loved one during the pandemic. Support for them has therefore never been needed more and it is essential that we ensure they are all aware that they are not alone and that help is available.”
Carers Champion and Rhuddlan County Cllr Ann Davies said:
“I was delighted to be involved in the Launch of Carers week in Denbighshire.
“This gave us a much-needed opportunity to highlight the importance of unpaid carers, the challenges that they face and for us to recognise the contribution they make to families and their communities.
“As Carers Champion for Denbighshire it was particularly pleasing to have the opportunity to show case Rhuddlan’s nature reserve and welcome carers to the launch.”
Vice-Chair of Denbighshire County Council, Cllr Christine Marston, said:
“Whilst many feel that caring is one of the most important things they do, the challenges should not be underestimated. Caring without the right information and support can be tough. It is vitally important that we recognise the contribution carers make to their families, local communities, workplaces, and society, and that they get the support they need.”
Georgine Gray of Rhuddlan, who cared for her husband Norman for many years before his death in January, said it is vitally important that carers ask for help if they are struggling.
She said:
“It can be very lonely caring for a loved one. I was very fortunate in that I have great friends and neighbours who supported me throughout Norman’s illness with prostate cancer and are still supporting me now.
“Cllr Ann Davies has also been superb, as have social services and the palliative care team involved. I also received much support from NEWCIS, who were calling me regularly.”
Georgine, who was also a carer for her first husband, who had positive TB for 11 years, added:
“Things have definitely improved since I first became a carer. There is now much more support, but that’s not to say it couldn’t be better. Also many carers are not aware of the support that is available. You’ve got to ask for help sometimes, there is no shame in it. You've got to accept that it's not always possible to do it all on your own.”
NEWCIS is the largest provider of carer services in Wales – delivering information, one to one support, training and counselling to carers who provide unpaid support to family or friends living in North East Wales. To find out more about the support they provide visit their website: www.newcis.org.uk
