From the 5th-11th June we are celebrating Carers Week. To celebrate the week, we asked Care for the Carers (who are part of the Community Links Network) to share more about the week and their work. We also wanted to take this opportunity to introduce Liam O’Reilly, the hospice’s Carer Support Social Worker, and to mention our new carers groups for carers of hospice patients.  

Do you look after someone who couldn’t manage without your help, or know someone who does? Caring for a relative, friend or neighbour, unpaid, is often referred to as being a carer. Carers Week is an annual national campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.  

The theme this year is ‘Recognising and supporting carers in the community’. This year’s events include a special ‘Carers’ Voices’ event on Thursday 8th June at the Lansdowne Hotel, Eastbourne. You can sign up here.  

Care for the Carers CEO, Jennifer Twist, explains more about being a carer and Carers Week:  

‘Caring can impact anyone, at any stage of their lives, but we often don’t see ourselves as a carer or know that there is support available. Carers Week is an opportunity to share carers’ experiences and support them to have their voices heard. Carers make a huge difference to the lives of those they support, and their help benefits our communities massively. But carers consistently report feeling overlooked and invisible, alongside juggling multiple responsibilities. By holding a big event during Carers Week, we want to shine a light on the amazing role carers have in our local community. We hope this campaign will reach as many people as possible, so that more carers know that there is support available and no-one is left to care alone.’  

You can find out more about the events happening during the week at www.cftc.org.uk/carersweek2023. If you look after someone who couldn’t manage without your support, and would like to know what help is available, you can contact the charity on 01323 738390 or email info@cftc.org.uk 

Introducing Liam, Carer Support Social Worker  

Liam joined us in April in this newly created role. He’s a qualified social worker with more than 20 years’ experience.  

His main link is with carers of people in, or known to, the hospice. If a family member has been unwell (not necessarily at the hospice) and is receiving care, or needs general help, they can contact Liam for assistance. 

He offers carers a range of help, from practical advice to helping filling in forms, and can guide them towards getting support from different agencies such as Care for the Carers, Age Concern, Macmillan and others.  

Liam is happy to chat to people who are reluctant to seek help but would like a listening ear, and is also available to people even after the person they care for has died. Contact details below. 

 New Carers Group for Hospice patients 

A new drop-in carers group for carers of hospice patients is now running at the hospice in the Living Well Garden room from 2.15pm – 3.30pm every Tuesday. This is a support group designed to provide a safe and welcoming space for carers who are taking care of their loved ones with a life-limiting illness. The group is open to anyone caring for a hospice patient, whether they are a family member, friend or professional care giver.  

The group is facilitated by Liam (Carer Support Social Worker) who has experience working with palliative patients and their carers. He is assisted by volunteers who can provide emotional support and practical advice to carers as they navigate the challenges of the caring role. During the group carers will have the opportunity to share experiences, ask questions and receive support from their peers. Liam may also lead discussion and offer help. 

To find out more, contact Liam O’Reilly on liam.o’reilly@stwhospice.org, 01323 434289 or 07761 038 547.