VAS Carers Support Service held various events to celebrate National Carers Week from 6th to 12th June 2016.

Throughout the week Shetland Recreational Trust, through VAS Carers Support, offered FREE passes to carers to use at any of their Leisure Centres. We had a good take up of this scheme with 19 carers registering with us for their free pass.

Druing the week our Virtual Carers Centre had a Pledge Wall where organisations and individuals who provide services to carers pledged their support to carers in Shetland. This can still be viewed at www.shetlandcarers.org/pledge-wall

On Friday, we held a Live Question and Answer Session through our Virtual Carers Centre and invited Carers to ask questions. We were joined by Kate Gabb and Max Barnett from Shetland Adult Protection Committee and had a good discussion about how best to protect those we care for from scams etc and there were some great examples provide by them.

On Saturday our main celebration event for Carers was held at Islesburgh from 1 - 3pm. This event was very well attended with carers having tea, coffee and homebakes whilst enjoying a super traditional music set by Hjaltibonhoga, browsing various information stalls and having treat sessions such as manicures, hand massage and Indian Head massage which all proved very popular. There was also the opportunity to take part in craft activities. It was great to chat with everyone attending the event and great to see some new faces. Many thanks to all those that came to provide information and treat sessions to carers.

We are always keen to hear your suggestions for the next Carers Week which we celebrate annually so please let us know if you have any good ideas for 2017!

We would like to thank the following people for helping at our celebration event : - Sleeping Beauty Salon, Becky Robertson, Hjaltibonhoga, Amy Colvin, Clint Sentance, Kate Gabb, Ryan from Lerwick Fire Station, May Macdonald, Ann Williamson, Anne Ribet
and Clare Scott