Carers Week - Maidenhead In Sickness And In Health
Cream teas, information stalls, bowling, an open day and a focus on Asian women's health are just some of the events lined up in the Maidenhead Royal Borough to mark national Carers Week (June 12 - 18).
The full programme of events has been drawn together by a local Maidenhead steering group made up of many of the borough's voluntary and carer organisations. The theme of the week is In Sickness and in Health, which aims to highlight the effects that caring can have on carers' own health and well-being and encourage more carers to seek support from local services.
With as many as 11,000 of the Maidenhead Royal Borough's carers looking after a sick or disabled friend, partner or relative some are not aware of the services available to them. Events during Carers Week will help to promote the support available locally.
Michaela Helman, of the Maidenhead Royal Borough's Carers Link, said: "We welcome everyone in the local community to the events programme – especially if they have caring responsibilities themselves. Many carers find it useful to meet people who are in a similar situation, share experiences and find out more about local support and services."
Penny Henrion, chief executive of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, said: "It is so important that family carers look after their own health. If they go under, there are two people needing help – the carer and the person they care for! We are delighted that this year's Carers Week will focus on supporting carers to look after themselves and that we can offer them a bit of pampering too - they deserve it"
Maidenhead Cllr Pam Proctor, the Royal Borough's lead member for social services, said she was delighted so see such an extensive programme aimed specifically at carers.
Maidenhead Cllr Proctor said: "We owe carers a great debt of gratitude for the work they do willingly and selflessly. Their dedication and commitment are beyond price and I hope these events will give them food for thought, some tender loving care for themselves and the knowledge that they are very much appreciated."
Soline Jerram, consultant nurse for older people and intermediate care at Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: "Caring for the carer is an important part of supporting people so that they can remain at home. To help with this we have started a course to provide practical support to carers, particularly those who are new to the role, and help them look after their own health and well-being."
Carers activities are funded by the Royal Borough, Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Maidenhead Multiple Sclerosis Society, with the programme organised by the Carers Partnership Board working together with carers, Princess Royal Trust Carers Service, Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead Primary Care Trust and the Carers Week Steering Group.
The Carers Week Steering Group is make up of representatives from The Royal Borough, the PCT, Maidenhead MENCAP, Maidenhead Multiple Sclerosis Society, Crossroads, Age Concern Windsor, Community Mental Health Team, Milaap Asian Women's Group, East Berkshire MIND Mental Health Promotion Team and many more.
aCARERS WEEK June 12 – 18 2006
Programme of events in the Royal Borough
In the week immediately before Carers Week there will be a series of information stands staffed by members of local voluntary and carer organisations:
Wednesday June 7 (9.30am -12 noon) – Cox Green Community Centre
Thursday June 8 (11am -3pm) – Windsor Royal Shopping Centre
Friday June 9 (9.30am -12 noon) – Peascod Street, Windsor and
(1pm - 3.30pm) – Waitrose Supermarket, Sunninghill
Saturday June 10 (9 am - 4pm) Maidenhead Carnival, town centre, Maidenhead.
Carers Week Programme
* Monday June 12 – (2pm - 5.pm) Cream Tea Party, Dorney Lake. Sponsored by the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the party is open to carers, voluntary and carer organisations offering a delightful cream tea in a beautiful setting beside Dorney Lake. Carers should contact their local support group worker for further details.
* Tuesday June 13 – (12.30pm - 3pm) Milaap Asian Women's Health Promotion, St Joseph's Hall, Maidenhead, offering a range of health checks, information stalls, therapies, entertainment and dancing – not to mention a health conscious buffet.
* Wednesday June 14 – (11am - 3.30pm) Information stand, Nicholson's Shopping Centre, Maidenhead.
* Thursday June 15 – (9.30am -12 noon) Information Stand, Elizabeth House, Cookham Rise.
* Friday June 16 – (11am - 3pm) Carers' Open Day, Desborough Suite, Town Hall, Maidenhead, offering therapies, fitness demonstrations, taster training sessions, information stands, free raffle and buffet lunch.
Details about these events will be publicised in hospitals and GP surgeries, community and leisure centres, and many shops, libraries and places of worship in the Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead area.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
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