WHY WE NEED TO SUPPORT CARERS

"Unpaid carers save the UK £132 billion a year – the cost of a second NHS"

A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support. The responsibility of caring takes it's toll and impacts on:

Finances - particularly if the carer gives up work or reduces their hours to carry out thier caring role

Health and wellbeing - carers can become physically and emotionally exhausted

Getting out and about as this poses additional challenges when caring for someone with a disability or other health condition

Work and learning - young carers can find it hard to get to school, college or university and can struggle to keep up with coursework

In HCT we have carers champions across adult and childrens services who are advocates for carers , and a resource for their colleagues sharing up to date information about the support available.

As the lead for carers in HCT I feel passionately about supporting staff to recognise carers and to signpost the carers to any help they may need The funds I raise from this 185 mile ride will be used to support this work such as providing extra training for our Carers Champions.