Abacare lends an ear

A Welsh care provider is offering to lend an ear to unpaid carers as part of Carers Week.

According to www.carersweek.org one in three unpaid carers looking after a loved-one has felt lonely or isolated as they feel they can’t talk to friends about their caring role.

Jane Jones, Branch Manager at the award-winning care provider, Abacare, which has offices in Newtown, said: “Carers Week from June 10 until 16 highlights the impact of caring on daily life and encourages the public to think about whether they could take on a caring role.

“We get involved with the Carers Week campaign each year, which focuses on how the UK’s current carer population is coping and how effectively they are being supported by the Government.

“From the figures it is clear that unpaid carers are struggling to cope, which is why we’re offering to lend an ear to them if they are feeling unappreciated, lonely or isolated. They can give our office a call on 01686 625644 and speak to one of our helpful and friendly carers about their worries or generally just about their caring role.

“We really understand what they’re going through and how hard it can be and we would love to be able to help them in some way, even if that is just by being on the end of a phone.”

Seventy four percent of unpaid carers also say their caring role isn’t understood or valued by their community. An unwillingness to talk about caring has for many carers created a barrier to their inclusion at work, home and in public life.

Jane added: “We hope that a chat with one of our carers will give some practical and emotional support to anyone struggling.

“It is extremely important that a caregiver has their own life away from caring in order to normalise themselves, even if it’s just the chance to run errands or simply have a cuppa and stare out of the window. It’s also important they have social relationships to avoid depression and isolation and be able to talk to friends about non-care issues.

“They need to make sure they take some time to themselves to have a well-earned rest as looking after someone can often become physically and emotionally overwhelming.

“We can also let people know about our respite relief services. As well as domiciliary and live-in care, we can also provide social care workers to individuals or families who require it on a temporary basis.” 

Carers Week takes place from Monday, June 10 until Sunday, June 16.

For more information about Abacare, please call 01686 625644 or visit www.abacare.org.uk. Alternatively, please follow the company on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/Yn4zmS or on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/visitabacare

Photograph: Jane Jones, Branch Manager at Abacare, which is offering support to unpaid carers during Carers Week 2019.