Unpaid carers from across Torbay recently enjoyed a host of treats for some well-deserved fun and relaxation at a series of events timed to coincide with National Carers Week 2018.
Carers Week celebrates the essential, and often unsung, role of unpaid carers (those family members and friends who support people with a disability, a long-term condition, mental health, drug or alcohol issue).
Organised by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust’s Carers Services and supported by local organisations, this year’s Carers Week continued to focus on the theme ‘Building Carer Friendly Communities’ and helping carers to stay healthy and connected while recognising that they are individuals with needs of their own.
A host of events, designed for a wide age range, took place across the Bay with an emphasis on carers having some time for themselves. The events ranged from learning to belly dance and how to sail a yacht around the Bay, to a treasure hunt at Torre Abbey and a return trip on the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company to Dartmouth, plus many other activities. All were aimed at promoting the wellbeing of carers and recognising the vital role they play in our community.
Katy Heard, Carers’ and Volunteers’ Lead at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The role our unpaid Carers play in providing expert care for some of the most vulnerable people in the community, cannot be valued highly enough. For these people – many of whom are young people, still attending school, or are older people with health needs of their own – caring is not a job which starts at 9am and ends at 5pm; it is a commitment which means they can be ‘on-call’ 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Natalie Townsend, Carers Services Coordinator at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It was wonderful to see so many carers relaxing and enjoying a day out, it is so important that we recognise our unpaid carers and provide them with opportunities to take time-out from the support they provide.
“A popular event this year was the Dartmouth steam train and it was great to spend time with so many carers, who thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to have an afternoon out to relax and enjoy the views across the river Dart and the spectacular Torbay coastline.
“Carers Week really does provide us with the perfect opportunity to celebrate the often unsung contribution unpaid carers make within our local communities.”
One carer who attended said: “Thanks for organising this day out, I enjoyed it so much – the train, the ferry, and the free time in Dartmouth. Such a tonic!”
If someone in Torbay relies on you because they are getting older, or have a disability or mental health / drug / alcohol issue, please contact Signposts for Carers on: 01803 666620, email signposts@nhs.net or visitwww.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk
You can join us on our social media pages, follow us on Facebook or Twitter and keep up to date with whats going on in South Devon.
Got a news story, blog or press release that you’d like to share or want to advertise with us? Contact us
