More than 30 people from across Ealing, including carers looking after relatives, have taken part in an event that provided details of support that is available for carers who need some care for themselves.
The Carers Pathway event, which took place at Sycamore Lodge in Acton, revealed that across Ealing there are an estimated 35,000 people who are unpaid carers.
The Carers Pathway is a partnership of six local charities – Dementia Concern, Southall Day Centre The Asian Health Agency, Centre for Armenian Information and Advice, Befriend and Ealing Carers Hub – who are working together to deliver short breaks for carers in Ealing.
Kashmir Takhar, older adults commissioner, from the Integrated Commissioning Team at Ealing Council opened the event and spoke about the huge work unpaid carers do and the challenges they face. In Ealing there are an estimated 35,000 unpaid carers and recent research has shown that 41% of carers nationally say that they haven’t had a break in the last 12 months.
Attendees heard from the six local charities involved in Carers Pathways about the range of activities available to people being cared for, so that those caring for them can have a break. These range from music therapy provided through Dementia Concern, to a lunch club provided by the Centre for Armenian Information and Advice, exercise classes provided by Southall Day Centre, home visits from a volunteer provided through Befriend, learning the paralympic sport of Boccia at Ealing Carers and more.
Karen Withers, operations manager at Ealing Carers said: “Everyone’s caring role is different, and their needs and the needs of the person they care for are different. What’s great about Carers Pathways is that there is such a wide range of activities on offer, some of which are open to everyone, and some of which are aimed at particular communities or people with particular needs, so there really is something for everyone.”
For more information about Carers Pathways and the support that is available to carers, email carerspathways@ealingcarers.org.uk or phone 020 3137 6194.
