York is celebrating the work of carers next week as part of national Carers Week (9-15 June).
Carers Week is a UK-wide annual awareness campaign, which aims to improve the lives of carers and the people they care for and in York it’s a chance for unpaid carers to take a break and join in one of the many activities on offer.
On Monday 9 June at CVS (Priory Street) from 10am to 3pm carers can have a free health check, visit information stalls and hear short talks. There will also be some live music, a free lunch and complimentary therapies.Please call York Carers Centre on 01904 715490 to book a place.
On Wednesday 11 June York Carers Centre have a stall in the reception area of York Hospital and a bus in Parliament Street where carers can call in. York Carers Forum are also holding a Carers Service at 1.20pm in York Minster, all welcome. At 5.30pm at City of York Council West Offices there is an information sharing meeting for carers who look after an adult on the autistic spectrum.
On Friday 13 June young carers are launching their new play at York St John University.
Carers will also be able to brush up their web skills thanks to a free six-part course offered by Explore York Libraries and Archives and the Tinder Foundation, in partnership with York Carers Forum.
Running from May to September, Explore Digital Care is a free six-part course for local carers. Each carer who enrols on the course will be invited to attend six free lessons in using different aspects of the internet, including staying safe online, using email, searching the internet and using various carers resources and forums online, amongst other things.
Carers will be able to use tablet computers and even borrow a device for a short period, which will enable them to share what they have learned with those they care for. The course is geared towards all local paid and unpaid care-givers
Fiona Williams, Chief Executive of Explore York Libraries & Archives, said: “Helping people get online is one of our key priorities and we are so pleased to be working with York Carers to support those who spend their lives caring for others.”
York underlined its commitment to carers with the city’s Health and Wellbeing Board adopting the national Carers’ Charter last year, enshrining a commitment to empower and support carers.
For more information about any of the activities call York Carers Centre on 01904 715490 or visit http://www.yorkcarerscentre.co.uk/