Help at hand for Derbyshire carers

As part of National Carers Week, which runs until 14 June, Derbyshire County Council is urging people who care for loved ones to find out if they are getting all the help they are entitled to.

Events taking place across the county this week are aimed at reaching out to local carers and encouraging them to access services which can support them.

Many people who look after partners, relatives and friends because they are ill or have disabilities do not recognise themselves as carers. Instead they can often neglect their own personal needs as their responsibilities to others grow unchecked.

Now the county council is urging people to attend an information session in their area to see if they could receive practical help, financial assistance, respite services and a range of other support.

One of the services available to carers is the county council’s Carer’s Emergency Card.

Anyone who provides essential support to another person can register for the emergency card, regardless of the amount of support they provide.

Carers need to register their details and the details of the person they care for and what care is given as part of the application.

These details are stored by the county council and each carer’s card has a unique reference number.

If a carer is involved in an accident or emergency situation which would disrupt their caring role their carer’s card identifies them so that support can be given.

People working in social care, doctors, ambulance crews, hospital staff and other health workers are all aware of the Carer’s Emergency Card and know to look for it or ask for it.

The county council’s contact centre Call Derbyshire is the number on the card and anyone who finds a card on someone who is involved in an emergency should ring the number.

More than 3,000 people now carry a Carer’s Emergency Card.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Clare Neill, said: “We know that there is a hidden army of people across the county who provide an essential service but do not recognise themselves as carers.

“Without the right support these added responsibilities can quickly become demanding and in some cases overwhelming. That’s why we are supporting our partners at Derbyshire Carers Association to host these information sessions.”

Information sessions continue at various locations throughout this week. Visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/carers to find your local event.