Maidenhead & Windsor

Thousands of Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough residents who care for sick or disabled relatives at home may be missing out on support that could help them juggle work and care responsibilities or simply make life easier.

To enable carers to find out what help they could qualify for and how to claim it the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough, in conjunction with Berkshire East Primary Care Trust, The Princess Royal Trust and other local groups, is holding drop-in sessions and setting up information stands at a number of venues across the borough from Monday December 3 to Friday December 7 to celebrate Carers’ Rights Day (December 7)

The local groups will be among 800 from across the UK taking part in the national awareness day organised by Carers UK aimed at informing carers of the rights, benefits and services available and any important recent changes to these.

Cllr John Story, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult services, said: “It is estimated that there are more than 11,000 carers in the Royal Borough, more than 300 of them under 18 years old. Many of these carers are still unknown to the statutory, health and voluntary sector services and are not receiving any support in their caring role. Anyone who is a carer should come forward and receive the help that could make a big difference to their lives.”

John Shaw, chief executive of The Princess Royal Trust Carers Service said: “Anyone who looks after a sick or disabled person on an unpaid basis is a carer and may be able to get help. Carers have recently won new rights under the Work and Families Act 2006, where they can request flexible working from their employer. This could make the difference between staying in work or not.

“Research tells us that carers’ own health is twice as likely to suffer as a result of the stresses of caring and it is vital they know their rights to ensure they get the support they need.”

Carolyn Finlay, assistant director of localities at Berkshire East Primary Care Trust said: "It is essential that carers get all the help and support they need to stay in good health. These events will help carers find out what is out there for them. The NHS and other organisations are working hard to ensure carers can continue supporting the people they care for so they can stay in their own homes.”

Information stands will be on display from Monday December 3 to Friday December 7 at:
· Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead
· York House, Windsor
· St Marks Hospital, Maidenhead
· King Edward VII Hospital, Windsor
· Upton Hospital, Slough
· Ascot Library

In addition, members of the Windsor and Maidenhead welfare benefits advice team will be available to provide information on Friday December 7 at Ascot Library between 10am and 12noon, at the Town Hall, Maidenhead, between 10.30am and 12.30pm, and at York House between 2 and 4pm.

Carers UK has produced an information booklet, Looking after someone? A guide to carers’ rights and benefits, which can be ordered from December 7 by calling 0808 808 7777, visiting http://www.carersuk.org/ or writing to Carers’ Rights Day, Carers UK, 20-25, Glasshouse Yard, London EC1A 4JT.

Information can also be obtained through the borough’s access team on 01628 683744, The Princess Royal Trust Carers Services on 01628 777217 or Berkshire East PCT on 01753 635615 or at http://www.pals.berkseast@berkshire.nhs.uk/

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead