Thanks to the generosity of County Councillors Derrick Ashley and Ray Shakespeare Smith and supported by the Comet newspaper thirty Carers from Hitchin met up recently for a celebration lunch at the Radcliffe Arms in Hitchin.

The lunch arranged as a joint venture between Carers in Hertfordshire, represented by Jenny Young, Honorary President and Crossroads Care Hertfordshire North represented by Sheelagh Taylor, Chief Executive will hopefully be the first of many joint initiatives of this kind. The venue and its exclusive use for the lunch were thanks to Stuart Alder, Manager at the Restaurant.

The event set out to recognise and celebrate the role of carers and the contribution they make not only to the people they care for but also to their local community. This was an opportunity to raise the profile of carers, to give them a break from their caring role and celebrate what they do on a day to day basis. Importantly two carers shared moving stories about their full time caring role which gave County Councillors the chance to find out what it is really like to be a Carer. Based on available population statistics from the last census there are an estimated 4,277 full time unpaid carers in the Hitchin area alone.

The feedback from the event was amazing with one lady saying “I enjoyed the company and lunch very much. It made such a nice change to get out.” Plans are now underway to consider how a Carers Group in Hitchin can be established on a regular basis.

If you are a carer or would like more information about what services we provide please contact 01462 455578