Carers Week 2017 is a national awareness week that celebrates and recognises the vital contribution made by people who currently provide unpaid care for a disabled, ill or older family member or friend. Across Hertfordshire 109,000 people look after someone who cannot manage without help saving the local economy £2.1 billion per year.
Caring can be a rewarding experience but without the right support many carers find themselves facing financial hardship, ill-health, emotional stress, relationship breakdown and isolation.
Heléna Herklots CBE, on behalf of Carers Week, said:
“Carers Week is a fantastic way to celebrate the vital contribution carers make to our families, communities and wider society. We know that caring for a loved one can be a rewarding experience, but without the right support at the right time, caring can also have a huge impact on a carer’s emotional and physical health, work and finances.
Carers have told us that it makes a huge difference to their lives when they are supported by their local services and communities; building Carer Friendly communities, whether that’s offering a flexible GP appointment, having flexible working policies or raising awareness in schools of caring, can make a positive difference.”
The Crossroads team will be holding and attending events throughout Carers Week. Anyone looking to find out about help available can drop in to see our team at the following public events:
| Date | Event | Details |
| Saturday 10th | Afternoon Tea at the Queens
(Advance booking required) |
15.00 – 17.00 Methodist Church, Queens Road, Royston |
| Monday 12th | Community support – Let’s get connected | 10.00 – 14.00 OA Sport, Woollam Playing Fields, 160 Harpenden Road, St Albans AL3 6BB |
| Monday 12th | Stevenage Carers Cafe – Cake & Music | 10.00 – 12.00 React Centre, Roundmead, Poplars, Stevenage SG2 9PQ |
| Tuesday 13th | Henny’s Day –Information & mini makeovers | 10.00 – 16.00 Town Centre Stevenage (Outside Boots)
10am-1pm mini makeovers |
| Tuesday 13th | Open House & Cake Sale | 14.00 – 16.00 Crossroads Respite Centre, 1a Broad Oak Way, Stevenage SG2 8QL |
| Tuesday 13th | Hoddesdon Carers Cafe | 10.00 -12.00 Nonna’s Kitchen, Hoddesdon, EN11 8HF |
| Wednesday 14th | Drop In Event | 11.00 – 13.30 Town Hall Hitchin SG5 1JE |
| Wednesday 14th | Tea in the Orchard | 14.00 – 16.00 Growing People, Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, Hitchin Rd, SG6 3NA |
| Friday 16th | Carers Week Event | 10.00 – 16.00 Lister Hospital Stevenage |
| Saturday 17th | Sherma’s Walk 4 Carers | 11.00 – 16.30 Fairlands Valley Park, Six Hills Way Stevenage, SG2 0BL |