Liverpool’s carers are being asked to “rise” to the occasion next Thursday, 13 June, as part of the annual Carers Week event.
The Local Solutions-organised event is hosting a cake competition for the first time and bakers who enter a cake will have their efforts judged by Liverpool’s own Great British Bake Off contestant Flo Atkins (judging will take place at 1.30pm).
As well as the baking competition, dozens of organisations will be on hand as usual to give information about the support available for the city’s estimated 50,000 carers.
This year, the popular event will be held for the first time at the beautiful Isla Gladstone Conservatory in Stanley Park. Doors are open from 10.30am-3.30pm and the event will be officially opened by Lord Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Peter Brennan.
Deputy Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Wendy Simon will also be officially launching Liverpool’s new Integrated All-Age Carers Strategy which sets out the city’s commitment to its all its carers, from adults caring for a loved to young carers providing support to family members.
The Isla Gladstone is easily reached by bus (number 19) and there is also plenty of parking close by. Local Solutions is also running a shuttle bus on the day. Buses will leave the carers centre at Local Solutions, Mount Vernon Green, at 11am and 1pm. The return journeys from the Isla Gladstone to the carers centre are at 12.30pm and 3pm.
All carers, including young carers, are entitled to have a carer’s assessment, even if the person who they are caring for does not receive a service organised by the council.
In Liverpool, about 3,000 carers have an assessment each year, with about 2,500 receiving support as a result.
An assessment is a chance to talk about how caring affects health and wellbeing and, if eligible, a carer then receives a support plan and tailored information and advice. This can include access to:
• The Carers Health and Wellbeing Service delivered by Local Solutions
• The Carers Advocacy Service offered by The Brain Charity
• Support for carers aged 25 and under delivered by Barnardo’s Action with Young Carers
To find out more about carer’s assessments please visit www.liverpool.gov.uk/carersassessment or call Careline on 0151 233 3800.
Further services, information and activities can also be found on the Live Well Directory – www.thelivewelldirectory.com
Lord Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Peter Brennan said: “So many carers do not realise that they are entitled to have an assessment. An assessment is a valuable opportunity to speak to a professional about how caring may be impacting your life.
“Local Solutions’ carers centre and Barnardo’s Action with Young Carers are the cornerstones of providing advice and support to our city’s carers and I would encourage anyone who supports a loved one to have an assessment so they can find out about all the superb services we have in Liverpool.
“Liverpool’s new Integrated All-Age Carers Strategy also underlines the city’s commitment to supporting our caring community by improving our systems to make sure that they are carer-friendly.”
Hazel Brown, head of carers services at Local Solutions, said: “This annual event is a great opportunity to showcase the support available for carers across the statutory, voluntary and health sectors.
“As Local Solutions we have the task of organising this event each year but it would not be possible for us to succeed without the support for the over 40 organisation who attend and celebrate the diversity of support for carers that we have in the city.”
