Chester Town Hall lights up in support of carers

Cheshire West’s army of volunteer carers will take the spotlight on Thursday 26 November, when Cheshire West and Chester Council shines a light on the vital work that they do.

As part of the celebrations for national Carers Rights Day, Chester Town Hall will be lit up red and white as a tribute to the contribution they make to life in the borough. 

There are approximately 38,000 unpaid carers in Cheshire West and Chester. They can be adults or children who look after a family member, partner or friend because of an illness, frailty, disability, mental health problem or an addiction.

Councillor Val Armstrong, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “We know that unpaid carers are currently dealing with more challenges than ever before due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"By lighting up the town hall we want to show our thanks, appreciation and support for the phenomenal dedication and resilience they have shown and continue to demonstrate during these unprecedented times. 

"We are committed to supporting our carer community across the borough. Care in the community could not continue without the thousands of unpaid carers giving valued support to loved ones and individuals in their care.”

Dr Andrew Wilson, Clinical Chair of NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Health and social care services would not have the capacity to look after some of the most vulnerable people in our communities but for the compassion and love shown day after day by tens of thousands of unpaid carers who rarely get the recognition they deserve.

“This year, more than ever before, volunteer carers have enabled the NHS and social care to keep going as they battle to continue supporting people while battling with Covid.

“That’s why we’re delighted to support all carers.”

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, activities for this year’s Carers Rights Day will look slightly different. However, there are a number of events taking place where carers can access information, advice and guidance. 

• Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust will be running coffee mornings, bingo, information sessions around carers' rights and nutrition, and even a sing-along. Find out more here: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/health-and-social-care/carers/carers.aspx 
• Opal Rural Services is hosting a coffee morning via Zoom with speakers from the Council joining the session. For more information visit https://www.opalservices.org.uk/ To access a session contact Jean Toyne jean.toyne@opalservices.org.uk.
• Making Space will be running a legal Q&A session for carers who look after someone with mental ill health, a learning disability or autism. Follow the link for more details: https://www.makingspace.co.uk/ 
• Crossroads Together has two Zoom meetings, one regarding benefits carers are entitled too and another regarding wills and legal advice. For more, visit: https://m.facebook.com/xroadstogether/

You can also find information about these events at:

• Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust: https://cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org/
• Cheshire West and Chester Council: Live Well Cheshire West: https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/comm-carers/carer-facts/

• Chester Town Hall will be lit up red and white, which are the colours of the national event organiser Carers UK, To find out more, visit: carersuk.org
• Feedback from the council’s All Age Carer Strategy consultation estimates that there are approximately 38,300 carers in the borough. https://participatenow.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/all-age-carers-strategy-2020-2025-consultation