Carers urged to look for support

Carers need a break as well otherwise they end up making themselves ill and becoming the one who needs caring for

By Ian Dipple 31/08 Updated: 31/08 09:45

 Mayor Alan Mason with Peter Nash, of Age UK, cafe manager Pebbles Crompton, Helen Simmons, of Crossroads Care and Rosie Powell from Carers Careline. Photo by Marcus Mingins 3212005MMR

THE MAYOR of Redditch has urged the borough’s carers to seek help.

Coun Alan Mason said it was important people looking after loved ones were not too proud to look for and accept the wealth of support on offer, especially so-called ‘hidden carers’ who consider themselves to only be doing their duty.

Mr Mason looks after his wife Nina, who has difficulty walking, but he admitted until recently he was one of those who had never considered himself to be a carer.

“I do the cooking, help with the shopping, the fetching and carrying and just general chores but I never really thought of myself as a carer, she’s my wife and they’re just things I do. I would do them anyway if she was able-bodied but I realised a few years ago that what I do probably does make me a carer,” he said.

“Carers generally aren’t thought of, I don’t think people realise how many people there are looking after wives or parents or children and it’s easy for them to be neglected.

“Carers need a break as well otherwise they end up making themselves ill and becoming the one who needs caring for. There are places people can go for help and they should, it doesn’t cost anything to find out what’s available.”

Mr Mason was speaking after attending an event run by Redditch based Carers Careline at Batchley Community Café specifically to find hidden carers. Other agencies including Age UK, Worcestershire Association of Carers and Crossroads Care Worcestershire were also on hand to provide information and advice.

Rosie Powell, carer contact officer for Carers Careline, said it had been hugely successful with a number of carers offered advice, guidance and access to services such as free counselling sessions.

“It’s important we find these people and raise awareness of what it is we do. People may start by offering more help and support to elderly parents and before they know it they’re a carer and need information about benefits, pensions, support groups, hospital visits and they don’t know where to start,” she said.

For more information contact Carers Careline by emailing dthomas@carerscareline.co.uk or call 01527 66177.

Carers urged to look for support | Redditch Standard