The 2019 Carers Week started on Monday and is an annual awareness campaign to celebrate and recognise the vital contribution made by the UK’s 6.5 million carers.

When people need help with their day to day living they often turn to their family and friends. Looking after each other is something we do. There are people caring unpaid for an ill, frail or disabled family member or friend. These people are carers but they would probably say they are just being a husband, a wife, a mum, a dad, a son, a daughter, a friend or a good neighbour. 

Caring is something that will affect each and every one of us in our lifetime, whether we become a carer, or need care ourselves.  Caring can be a rich source of satisfaction in people’s life however, without the right support it can have a significant negative impact with regards to health and social isolation. 

Every person who comes through the doors of Strathcarron Hospice to receive specialist support from us will undoubtedly have a main carer back at their home. With this in mind we realise that carers need support too. To do this we facilitate Carer Support Groups which run for 6 weeks at a time and are completely free of charge to attend. It gives the opportunity for people in similar situations to come together and identify ways in which well-being can be maintained, with the emphasis on relaxation techniques and peer support. 

To every unofficial carer we salute you in this very special role inspired by love and a desire to provide the best quality of life possible for your loved ones.