Today (12th June 2007) Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health & Well Being, will visit the ‘Carry on Caring’ event hosted by Quarriers’ Glasgow South West Carers, to meet some of Glasgow’s 56,000 carers to encourage them to not to neglect their own health as they carry out their caring role. The event will take place in Riverside Halls, Clydebrae Street, Govan between 10am and 12.30pm as part of National Carers Week (11-17 June 2007).
Ms Sturgeon said, “The Scottish Government recognises the invaluable contribution that unpaid carers make, not just to those they care for but to the wider community. Carers need to feel valued and to feel that they are not isolated. There are many hidden carers in our communities who do not think of themselves as carers and may not be aware that help and support are available. We have many young carers looking after parents who are vulnerable, ill or disabled”.
She continues, “Young carers can be particularly disadvantaged through their caring responsibilities. They may face problems at school with attendance and completing course work. They may feel isolated from other children because they do not have time to spend with their friends. For all these reasons, the Scottish government is committed to doing more to support unpaid carers.”
The day will coincide with the National Carers Week theme of ‘My life as a carer’, and aims to promote and highlight various aspects of caring including financial, career, courses, social life, relationships and health. Local organisations will feature stalls to support the various aspects of caring which contribute to keeping carers healthy, including South West Glasgow Community Health and Care Partnership carer health checks.”
Louise McGinty, project manager at Glasgow South West Carers Centre, said: “We hope the event emphasises the need for agencies to work together to support carers to look after their health so they can ‘Carry on Caring’. Scotland needs healthy carers as it costs Scotland £1 million for every 85 carers forced to give up caring due to ill health”.
Wilma Monaghan cares for her daughter Gillian who has a learning disability, she said: “Most carers naturally put the wellbeing of those we look after first. You forget that caring can take a big physical and emotional toll on your health. In fact, we see carers who end up having care needs of their own, which puts a bigger burden on the country’s health and social services.”
The Quarriers Glasgow South West Carers Centre aims to provide people with practical advice, support and information covering a wide range of topics, from benefits checks to information on respite. Staff at the centre provide a listening ear and advise people what help may be available and what avenues to pursue and can be as involved as the individual would like arranging appointments with welfare rights and social work if necessary.
The project also recently launched a peer support programme from young carers to provide an opportunity for them to enjoy a welcome break from their caring tasks and encourage lasting friendships and support networks with other young carers through regular social activities and an annual activity weekend.
Quarriers is Scotland’s leading and most diverse social care charity providing support to around 18,000 people through 127 projects for children, young people, adults and families who are known to be experiencing extreme difficulties or who are typically hard-to-reach. The organisation has grown and changed considerably since it was founded in 1871 by William Quarrier at Bridge of Weir, expanding to meet the needs of young homeless people, children and adults with a disability, people with epilepsy and carers from across Scotland and beyond. Staff numbers are now in excess of 1800 and the charity has an expected turnover of £38M this year.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS: Photographs are available on request by contacting Caroline Graham.
THIS INFORMATION AND FURTHER DETAILS FROM CAROLINE GRAHAM, THE BUSINESS
T: 0131 718 6022
M: 07909 963 602
E: carolineg@thebusinesspr.co.uk
