Community / Plenty on offer during carers week
HEALTH and care services, schools, employers and businesses across the community are being encouraged to recognise the vital contribution made by unpaid carers in Shetland.
It comes as part of the national carers week, which is taking place between 7 and 13 June.
Locally the event will be held online as well as at Fjara in Lerwick.
Shetland Carers and Fjara are collaborating to provide a free ‘Cuppa and Cake’ offer to a carer and a companion between 7 to 13 June.
During the week Shetland Carers is also running a competition where carers who send in a photo of how they ‘take a break’ will be entered into a prize draw to win a Sleeping Beauty voucher.
Each week day Shetland Carers will be providing an activity to encourage carers to take some time out.
On Monday 7 June at 10.30am a live one hour Yin Yoga session with Wendy Hatrick of Island Yoga Shetland will go live through the Shetland Carers Facebook page.
The following day (8 June) a group walk for carers around Lerwick will begin at 10.30am followed by an outside “cuppa” at Fjara café.
On Wednesday 9 June a virtual coffee morning through Zoom will take place at 10am with guest speakers from local third sector services. People are asked to contact Shetland Carers to receive the meeting joining details.
On Thursday 10 June at 7pm the first virtual meeting of a new carers support group will take place through Zoom. Again, people are asked to contact Shetland Carers to receive the details.
In the future, this group will meet face to face and occasionally virtually.
The week will conclude with a video on Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping routine for clearing stress, from Diane Taylor of Shetland Resolve, at 10.30am on Friday 11 June at 10.30am via the Shetland Carers website.
Shetland Carers support worker Kirsten Harcus said: “We are providing opportunities for carers to find out about information and support available to help them in their caring role. Identifying carers and providing support earlier, enables carers to look after their own health and wellbeing which can help sustain the caring role.”
Voluntary Action Shetland executive officer Lynn Tulloch added: “The pandemic has really placed immense strain on unpaid carers who have had an exceptionally challenging time over the last year. Carers need to be able to have time out and have the opportunity to have a well-earned break.
“Through increasing awareness of unpaid carers through Carers Week, additional help, information, support can be offered via Shetland Carers to enable individuals to manage their caring role well.”
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