Charity helps put carers on the map during Carers Week

Devon Carers is ‘Putting Carers on the Map’ this week as part of an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise their invaluable contribution to society - estimated to save the Devon economy over £2 billion a year!

Devon Carers, a free service by Westbank Community Health and Care, is putting on a host of events to celebrate Carers Week (10th – 16th June). The service is also planning several events as part of its milestone anniversary to mark 25 years of supporting unpaid carers across the county. Over the last two and a half decades, Westbank’s Devon Carers has grown to be one of the largest charitable organisations in the UK helping adult and young carers.  The service provides a wide range of support services to those who look after family members or friends because they are ill, frail, or have a disability, mental health or substance misuse problem. It currently supports over 30,000 carers across the county (excluding Plymouth and Torbay).

During Carers Week 2024, Devon Carers is being joined by several organisations and its Carer Friendly Devon supporters. Events are being held across the county, including a number of information stands, access to online advice about money matters, free access for carers at some National Trust properties and an Afternoon Tea and Jazz afternoon. Throughout Carers Week, Seaton Tramway is offering free rides to those with a Carers Passport and Devon Cycle Hire at Sourton, near Okehampton, is offering free one-day cycle hire for unpaid carers and the person they care for (pre-booking essential).

To find out more about what’s going on this week, visit: https://devoncarers.org.uk/community/carers-week/