Chorley Venue For Lancashire Carers’ Conference

The Lancashire Carers’ Forum is holding its annual conference for carers at the Woodlands Conference Centre, Chorley, next month.

The event, on Wednesday 10 September, is the biggest date in the forum’s calendar and provides an opportunity for carers in Lancashire to meet, discuss issues and share ideas with other carers and representatives from social care services, health services, advocacy and voluntary organisations.

The Lancashire Carers Forum, formed in October 1998, acts as the voice and representative body for unpaid carers across the county who look after a partner, relative or friend, who is ill or disabled.

As part of the conference, carers will be able to access information and be invited to take part in workshops.

Lancashire County Council will also be recognising carers that have demonstrated courageous commitment and dedication in caring for someone at a special awards ceremony.

The annual conference to be held at the Southport Road centre is funded by Lancashire County Council.

Joanne Miller, carers’ development officer at Lancashire County Council, said: “This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Lancashire Carers’ Forum, and with this in mind, this years’ conference will celebrate a decade of driving forward positive change and support for carers.

“Despite significant progress in the support and recognition of carers, there are still, however, many people who look after their relatives who are unaware of the support available and don’t class themselves as a ‘carer’.”

The county council works in partnership with other agencies and the voluntary sector in providing a range of services to support carers across the county.

These include short breaks, residential short breaks, day care, home care and community support.

In addition, it funds local carer projects in providing local information and support.

In June 2008, the Government published its revised National Strategy for Carers – “Carers at the heart of 21st century families and communities” – backed by over £255 million of investment and new initiatives to support carers.

It is estimated there are six million carers in the UK.

The value of the unpaid care they provide is £87 billion each year. 4.4 million carers are of working age and 2.5 million of them combine caring with paid work.

In Lancashire, there are currently around 125,000 carers across the county.

There are also around 1,300 young carers in Lancashire who help look after their parents, siblings or older relatives who may have a physical or learning disability, a mental health problem or maybe struggling to cope with drug misuse or the trauma of domestic violence.

Carers wishing to attend the free event must be from Lancashire and advance booking is necessary.

For more information visit online at www.lancashire.gov.uk/carers or to book a place at the conference contact your local carers centre or Susan Liptrot on 01772 532371.