Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities all through the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities, to identify as carers and access any support they need.

To view our poster and further details on how Shetland Carers are planning to celebrate Carers Week, and to find out how to book on some of the activities, please click HERE.

What is a carer?

The COVID-19 pandemic had a monumental impact on unpaid carers' lives - not only because of the increased amount of care that many provided, but because of the far-reaching effect that providing this level of care has had on unpaid carers. Many people also took on new caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and who need support.

And now, after three years caring through the pandemic, the cost of living crisis is causing further stress and hardship for carers, who were already dealing with the financial difficulties that often come with caring.

Carers need to be recognised for the difficulties they are experiencing, respected for all they are doing, provided with information, and given the support they need to care safely.

A carer is anyone who looks after a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness, addiction, or who needs extra help as they grow older. Caring's impact on all aspects of life from relationships and health, to finances and work can be significant. Whilst many feel that caring is one of the most important things they do, its challenges should not be underestimated. Caring without the right information and support can be tough. It is vitally important that we recognise the contribution carers make to their families and local communities, workplaces and society, and that they get the support they need.

Show your support by saying I CARE...

During Carers Week, the Carers Week team want to increase recognition and support of carers by encouraging everyone to say I CARE.

They want the millions of carers in the UK to say I CARE on their website, helping others to recognise their caring role and raising awareness of the realities of caring and the huge challenges faced by carers. And even if you’re not currently caring, you can still get involved and say I CARE. After all, it’s almost certain you’ll know a carer. It could be a friend, a family member, a colleague or a neighbour.

This Carers Week, stand in solidarity with the carers you know, and every carer in the UK by saying I CARE with just a couple of clicks. Say I CARE now... www.carersweek.org

Would you like to take part in our photo competition this week?

We would like to invite you to take part in our ‘A Moment for Me’ competition. All you need to do to be entered into our prize draw to win a dining voucher for Brudolff Hotels is send us a photo or picture showing what you have done for yourself this week. How have you taken a moment out/a moment for yourself? We can’t wait to see your pictures!

You don’t have to be in the photo unless you wish to - (please be aware that the winning photo, chosen at random, will be displayed on our Facebook page, so by sending us a photo to use, you are agreeing to the photo being used in this way).

Photos can be posted in to Shetland Carers at 14 Market Street, Lerwick, Shetland (remember to include your name) or emailed to carers@shetland.org or sent via private message on our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/ShetlandCarers/

We’d love to see how you enjoy taking a moment for yourself. This could be anything from having a cuppa, baking or cooking, swimming, walking, gardening, knitting, reading, whatever!

The competition closes on Sunday 11th June at 9pm. A winner will then be chosen at random, and the winning photo will be displayed on our Facebook page on Monday 12th June. Good luck!