Carers Rights Day 2021

Carers Rights Day takes place on Thursday 25 November and organisations from across Torbay, including ourselves, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and partners from the voluntary and community sector, have come together to raise awareness of the rights of unpaid Carers. 

There are more than 18,000 unpaid Carers in Torbay, but not everyone sees themselves as a Carer or are even aware of the rights they have as Carers and the support available to them. Unpaid Carers are family members and friends who support someone with a disability, health or age-related condition, mental health or drug/alcohol issue.

This year, activities on Carers Rights Day itself will focus on reaching out to unpaid Carers with information about employment rights, financial support, benefits entitlements and the practical help they are entitled to to assist them with their caring role. 

The pandemic has had a massive impact on the lives of carers, and it’s more important than ever that carers are aware of their rights and the support that is available.

On Thursday 25 November, there will be a day of live presentations, talks, and question and answer sessions at Paignton library, which you can also join on-line using Microsoft Teams. This will include dementia advice, employment and training, equipment in the home and more. There will also be an opportunity to book one-to-one sessions with experts for specific advice on benefit support, computer confidence and employment rights. For people unable to get online themselves, the talks will also be live-streamed and viewable at Paignton Library throughout the day.

There will also be a number of cafés across the Bay offering discounted hot drink and snack deals for any carers who have a Torbay Carers Card. 

On Saturday 27 November from 11am-2pm, there will be an ‘Everyone knows a Carer’ celebration day of live music, entertainment, activities, dancing, and world food coinciding with the Christmas Fair at Paignton library. This family-friendly event is open to everyone to come along and enjoy, with Covid measures in place and there will be extra free refreshments for any unpaid Carers.

Councillor Steve Darling, Leader of Torbay Council, on behalf of the partnership administration said: ‘Most of us will care for or be cared for at some point in our lives. It is important that all carers, both children and adults have access to the support they need as well as the right financial and practical support that they are entitled to.’

Liz Davenport, Chief Executive of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust said: “This Carers' Rights Day, we hope to reach as many carers in our communities as possible with information and advice about the range of support available for them.

We know that some people don’t identify themselves as carers, despite the care they provide to family and friends. This means that they may miss out on the right support for a number of years. Ensuring that carers get the right support is vital and can range from practical help such as being able to take a break, to financial help on managing the costs of caring.”

For a full programme of events that are taking place during this years’ Carers Rights Day, please go to the Torbay Carers Service website. 

There is a wide range of support for local carers available in the Bay. From Torbay Carers Services, run by the Torbay and South Devon Foundation NHS Trust, to the Young Carers Services in the Youth Trust.

There is a Carer Support Worker linked to every doctor’s surgery in the Bay, plus specialists in young adult carers (16-25), mental health services, learning disability, older people’s mental health and the hospital.

Carers Aid Torbay provide carers’ advocacy and benefits advice for Carers.

For any information about any services, contact 01803 66 66 20 or signposts@nhs.net, www.tsdft.uk/carers or Facebook.com/TorbayCarers.