Drive to raise awareness for Bay's army of unpaid carers
A CAMPAIGN to raise awareness for Bay carers is taking to the road.
Stickers are springing up on car windows around the Bay with the message 'Join Torbay Carers Register Now' as part of a new campaign to raise awareness of the free help and support available to the thousands of unpaid carers across Torbay.
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sticker campaign: From left, Paul Lucas, non-executive director at Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust, Caroline Taylor, Torbay Council's chief operating officer and director of adult services, Janet Helmore, carer, Pat Goss, chairman of Torbay Carers Register, and Kevin Dixon, carer
Pat Goss, chairman of Torbay Carers Register and a former carer, is keen to get the message out to thousands more carers in the Bay.
Pat said: "We know there are many people caring for a relative or a friend who don't use our services.
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"The register was started by local carers more than 10 years ago.
"The support it offers can make a real difference to the lives of many carers, giving them peace of mind and links to all sorts of support. We hope hundreds of carers and residents will carry the message around the Bay in their cars and it will prompt people who care to think about joining the register."
Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust runs carers' services for people living in the Bay.
Torbay's Carers Register is one of the most successful of its kind in the country, supporting more than 3,500 carers a year.
It offers unpaid carers a range of services including a Carers' Emergency Card; discount scheme; a regular carers' newsletter and a host of useful information and support including drop-in centres in two of the Bay's towns.
The striking car window stickers feature an image of the purple and yellow Carers Register card and encourages people to sign up to the register to access help and support.
James Drummond, carers' services lead at Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust, said: "We're really keen to identify and support as many local unpaid carers as possible.
"Without the support of their family, friends and neighbours, many vulnerable people in the Bay could not live independently.
"However, many of these people who care for someone simply do not see themselves as a carer and we want to encourage them to come forward and receive the support they're entitled to."
Local residents are also being encouraged to display a window sticker to show their support for the campaign.
For a free car window sticker, or for more information about support services available for carers in Torbay, contact Signposts for Carers on 01803 666620. Alternatively, visit www.tsdhc.nhs.uk
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