Published on Tuesday 16 November 2021
BCP Council is teaming up with Dorset Council and a host of organisations for the Carers Dorset Festival on Thursday 25 November, which is also Carers Rights Day.
The first ever festival for local carers will offer information, tips and support for unpaid carers.
A series of free bite-size information events and inspirational talks will be held across the area and can also be accessed online.
There will be two face-to-face events, one at Dorset Museum in Dorchester, featuring a talk by Radio 2’s Johnnie Walker and his wife Tiggy, co-patrons of Carers UK and one at the Kinson Community Centre in Bournemouth.
The festival aims to celebrate and support unpaid carers, bringing them together with local organisations to help them find out how to get the help and support they are entitled to.
Carers who book onto the face-to-face events will also receive a goody bag (while stocks last) provided by the Leonardo Trust, an independent charity to help people in the county who care for a sick or disabled relative.
There are an estimated 80,000 unpaid carers in Dorset all providing help and support to someone who could not manage without them from personal care to providing practical support like shopping.
There is no typical carer in the BCP and Dorset Council areas.
A carer can be old, young, a spouse, partner, a child, grandchild, sibling or neighbour.
A carer can work in a full-time job or be caring 24/7.
Some carers have support and access help, others do not.
The keynote speaker for the day is Vice President of Carers UK, Dame Philippa Russell, and there will be 30 digital events featuring topics including:
- advice and support
- ideas about how to take a break
- planning ahead
- why register as an unpaid carer?
- keeping safe at home
- welfare benefits
- mindfulness
- Triangle of Care
- connect with other unpaid carers
- laughter session.
There will resources to available to download and much more.
The Carers Dorset Festival is sponsored by Dorset Council, Dorset Museum, BCP Council, The Leonardo Trust and Carer Support Dorset which are providing sessions along with Rethink, CRISP, Paragon, PramaLife, NHS, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, Dorset Mental Health Forum Carers Project, Pan-Dorset Carers Steering Group, CAiD (Citizens Advice in Dorset), Healthwatch Dorset, and Help and Kindness.
Councillor Karen Rampton, BCP Council Portfolio Holder for people and homes, said:
"Our unpaid carers do an amazing job every day, whether that’s looking after a loved one, a friend or neighbour.
"I’m delighted that we are able to mark national Carers Rights Day by bringing organisations together to provide events and information to support and celebrate carers across the conurbation."
Councillor Peter Wharf, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for adult social care and health said:
"We are thrilled to be able to put on such a wide range of free information, advice and support sessions to celebrate all the work that our Dorset Carers do to help and support others.
"Being a carer for someone can be an isolating experience, so this festival is a way of people being able to join others with shared experiences.
"A huge thank you to the guest speakers and all of the organisations giving up their time to make this festival happen. I hope it brings help and support to those who help and support others."
Find out more about the sessions and to book your free places here.
To book on to the Kinson Community Centre event please call CRISP, the carers support service for BCP council area: 01202 128787. The free event runs from 10am – 3pm and carers are welcome to attend for advice and support with lunch provided.
If you need help to get online, you can call the Digital Hotline in advance on 01305 221048. Digital Champions will also be on hand in many libraries acrossDorset to help.