Carers First has been shortlisted for the Care Charity of the Year in the Kent Charity Awards.
The nomination comes after the Carers First team in Medway adapted to the pandemic to make sure support to carers was not interrupted.
All of the team at Carers First, which is commissioned to deliver the Carer Support Service across seven regions including Medway, is so grateful to receive this recognition.
There are an estimated 22,500 people caring in Medway, people like Laura, who is a mum of four living in Medway. She cares for her oldest son, 16, who has autism and her youngest, 3, who has cystic fibrosis. Her middle son, 13, helps her in caring and she also has a daughter, 4. During the first lockdown, Laura and her family didn’t leave their house in 120 days because they were shielding, stretching her to the limit financially and emotionally. Carers First were able to support Laura including getting her help from her local food bank and grants to pay for a new school uniform for her middle son.
Laura says: “I would say without Carers First’s relentless support and talking to me and my son, we would be a lot worse off, financially and mentally. I have been in touch with a lot of agencies over the years but Carers First were the first organisation to give me the help I really needed.”
Each year, unpaid carers like Laura save the UK economy £132 billion (the cost of a second NHS) but this enormous contribution is often overlooked and caring without the right information and support can be tough.
We are delighted
Alison Taylor, Chief Executive at Carers First, said “Looking after someone can be a hugely rewarding experience, but we also know it can also be difficult at times, especially without access to the right support. Carers First helps provide this support to unpaid carers and we are delighted that this work, especially throughout the pandemic, has been recognised. Thank you to the Kent Charity Awards for recognising our work with local carers.”
Carers First offers invaluable support
Cllr David Brake, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder covering Adult Services, said “I am pleased that the work of Carers First has been recognised by the Kent Charity Awards. It is estimated that more than 20,000 residents help look after a relative or a loved one, and Carers First offers them invaluable support. I would encourage carers across Medway to contact the charity, and know that they are not alone, we are committed to supporting both adult and young carers and improving the health and wellbeing of Medway residents.”
The nomination is especially fitting as celebrate Carers First 30th anniversary this year.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Friday 10 September at Rochester Cathedral.
Carers First works directly with and for, unpaid carers to provide personalised information and advice. Registration is free and whatever their circumstance, Carers First offers services to support carers at every stage of their caring journey.
Carers First encourages carers in need of support to visit the website or call its freephone Helpline 0300 303 1555.