Organisations unite in Lowestoft for unpaid family carers

An event to mark Carers Rights Day was successfully held in Lowestoft as up to 30 organisations united to support unpaid family carers.

Organised by Suffolk Family Carers, the event was successfully held at East Point Pavilion, Royal Plain in Lowestoft on Thursday.

Suffolk Family Carers organised a successful event at East Point Pavilion, Royal Plain in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The drop-in and marketplace gave family carers in north Suffolk and south Norfolk the chance to find out more about the services and support available locally to them, to ensure they are aware of their rights, and to raise awareness of the needs of family carers with the wider population.

Helping to provide information advice and guidance to support family carers with immediate questions or concerns, each year an event is held on Carers Rights Day.

Andrea Bland and Kelly Moulds of the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust as an event marks Carers Rights Day in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With it taking centre stage in East Suffolk this year - in Lowestoft - organisations and unpaid family carers from across Suffolk were brought together to raise awareness of caring, helping to identify carers, and helping them get information, advice and support.

Kirsten Alderson, CEO of Suffolk Family Carers, said: "Carers Rights Day empowers family carers with information and support and helps them to feel confident in asking for what they need, and to challenge things when their rights are not being met, whether that be in accessing health or social care, in the workplace or education, when interacting with other professionals or at home.

Sue Medley, Nick Bickers and Clare Kingaby Lewis of East Suffolk Council's Community Help Hub, supporting people with cost of living, as an event was successfully held to mark Carers Rights Day in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"Events such as this marketplace and drop-in are a great opportunity to bring together multiple organisations who can help us ensure that family carers are Visible, Valued Supported and Connected."

For more information on being an unpaid family carer, and for details of the help and support available please visit www.suffolkfamilycarers.org

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With Suffolk County Council one of several organisations attending the event on Carers Rights Day, Cllr Beccy Hopfensperger, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for adult care, said: "SCC is very happy to have been able to attend this event in Lowestoft organised by Suffolk Family Carers, and in doing so help promote Carers Rights Day.

Caroline Mackinson and Tracy Cotterell, of Centres for Warmth for East Suffolk Council, as an event is held in Lowestoft to mark Carers Rights Day. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"The importance we place on unpaid and family carers in Suffolk cannot be overstated, they play a fundamental role in the lives of those they support, and it is right we do all we can to support them.  This year we have launched a new online carers self-assessment form which carers can use to help get more support in their role supporting or looking after someone, more information is available on our website.”

Hailing the success of the event at East Point Pavilion in Lowestoft, Phil Aves, change manager for Lowestoft Rising, said: "It’s a real multi agency effort, with everyone pulling together to have an event carers can really benefit from attending to find out what support and help is out there."