Councillors in charge of adults' and children’s services joined the chief executive of Carers Trust Solihull to promote Carers Week, which starts next Monday (6 June).
Solihull Council commissions Carers Trust Solihull to support carers of all ages. Councillor Tony Dicicco, cabinet member for Adult Social Care & Health and Councillor Michael Gough, the new cabinet member for Children, Education & Skills, caught up with the Trust CEO Brandon Scott-Omenka to learn more about the campaign.
They met at Lily’s Tea Parlour in Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre, which will host drop-in chat sessions on Monday (6 June) to mark the start of Carers Week. Anyone can call in for a cuppa and meet other carers and support workers.
CEO Carers Trust Solihull, Brandon Scott-Omenka said: “We are currently supporting more than 4,200 carers in Solihull. We know there are thousands more who devote a lot of time to caring for someone – a family member spouse or neighbour - and for whom a bit of back-up could make a huge difference.
“People do it because they care, they want to do it – but it can still be tough and lonely at times. We want people to know it doesn’t have to be and that we are there to help.
“This year we’re focusing on making carers visible, valued and supported. We are also reaching out to employers, asking them to really think about how supportive they are to staff with caring responsibilities who are often the most loyal to the business.”
Cllr Dicicco said: “Many of us look after partners, children, friends or neighbours who have a disability or long-term health condition.
“It’s informal and you may not think of yourself as a carer, but if that sounds like you, you probably are - and you might be glad of some support.
“Carers Trust Solihull do a magnificent job to identify and support our many carers in the borough and I would encourage people to find out more about what they can offer.”
Cllr Gough said: “Carers Week is an opportunity to celebrate the role of carers and all they do, day in day out.
“There are particular challenges for young carers and I would encourage everyone to take a moment to think about their own situation or that of family and friends and see where they might need some help.”
More information about Carers Trust Solihull is available by visiting their website, calling 0121 788 1143, emailing centre@solihullcarers.org or following them on social media. Carers Trust Solihull and the Council are encouraging people to show their support for carers this week on social media by using the hashtags #CarersWeek #Carers #Solihull #icare #makecaringvisible
Solihull Council is also piloting a new scheme designed to complement the Carers Trust work by reaching out to the more ‘invisible’ carers.
Mobilise is an online carers’ community providing information and signposting, emotional and self-care and online peer support, daily between 8am and 10pm.
A three-month trial is ongoing, to find how this can boost the existing support, focusing on reaching the estimated 19,000 unpaid carers not currently known to the Council or the Trust.