Local carers’ charity raises renewed awareness of unpaid carers
It is not exactly known how many unpaid carers there are in Shetland, but SCAS’s own estimates suggest it could be more than 2,000, many stretched to breaking point and/or working in isolation.
Yet there are rights, benefits and support available to people who very often do not know about them.
Staff at SCAS are keen to change all of that and to provide unpaid carers, including young carers, with the advice and information about the support and help that is available to them.
The Market House-based charity has been working to support unpaid carers for many years. Newly recruited Olivia Brailey, as well as Lynne Ward and Louise Irvine are all working part-time to support unpaid carers with information and advice.
SCAS manager Karen Fraser said often people are not even aware that they qualify as unpaid carers.
“By increasing awareness of the support available, SCAS hopes people will be better able to recognise when someone may be an unpaid carer and point them towards the right information and support,” she said.
Service development officer Lindsay McLaughlan added: “There are likely to be many more unpaid carers across Shetland who aren’t currently registered – we want to encourage them to join.”
Once registered unpaid carers will receive SCAS’ regular newsletter as well as updates about support, events and training opportunities.
One such training event on carers rights and self-directed support is set to take place on 9 September.
It is organised by SCAS and hosted by Jaynie Mitchell from the Coalition of Carers in Scotland at Market House between 10.30am and 12pm, but can also be joined online (book a place here).
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Unpaid carers can also apply for up to £300 to help take a break from their caring role and support their own wellbeing. These Time to Live grants are distributed through SCAS and applications are currently open.
The charity hopes to launch ‘Respitality Breaks’ in the near future and is looking for local hospitality and leisure businesses to donate short breaks or activities to local unpaid carers to allow them to enjoy a well-deserved break as well.
Meanwhile SCAS hosts regular informal drop-ins – called carer teas and tabnabs – to allow unpaid carers to meet other carers, have a chat and connect with people in the service.
These informal weekly drop-in sessions at Market House usually take place on Tuesdays between 1-3pm, with two scheduled for 8 and 15 September, as detailed on their website here.
Fraser added that beyond helping carers their aim was also to help the wider Shetland community understand unpaid caring and support available.
Shetland Care Attendant Scheme can be contacted in person at Market House, by telephone 01595 743923, via e-mail scas@shetland.org or their website www.shetlandcarers.org where there is also a link to get registered as an unpaid carer.
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