Carers were able to find out more information about the services available in a relaxed setting whilst having a cup of tea and cake, meet with other carers and some carers also got the opportunity to have a head massage.

Carers week is a great opportunity to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges that carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. Here in Shetland we are extending carers week, as we took the opportunity to sign carers up for a free gold membership pass for their local SRT facility to encourage them to look after their own health and well being over the next week.

Karen Hannay Carer Support Workers said “ Of course, it is great to see a number of carers at this event but we know that there are many carers who can’t make it in to Lerwick to see us. We know that carers continue to carry out their role all year round. Over the next few months we are planning to get out to all of the GP surgeries to make time to meet any carers. We also have recently been updating our website and now have a short quiz that should help you to find your way around the website and get the information that you need to support you in your caring role.”

Catherine Hughson Executive officer of VAS said “ This support is crucial for an unpaid carer to continue their caring role. We have an ageing population and the need to support these carers is only going to increase, many third sector agencies supporting these carers do sterling work in the face of continuing reduction in funding and increasing demand”.

Voluntary Action Shetland, have been supporting unpaid carers for over 12 years, and will continue to do so once Carers Week is over! If you need any information then please give us a call on 015959 743923 or take a look at our website www.shetlandcarers.org