November hosts the annual Carers Rights Day and this year it is on Thursday 21^st November 2024. Over that week, there will be local and national events you can attend to learn more about your entitlement to help, advice and support. Keep your eye out for our November Newsletter to see the events Forward Carers, local councils and our partner organisations will be providing. Want to know more about this? Learn about why we have this annual awareness day and the themes for this year? 

History and Importance

Carers Rights Day is an annual event in the UK that raises awareness about the rights of unpaid Carers and ensures you receive the support you deserve. With over 5.7 million unpaid Carers in the UK, many people don’t even realise they are Carers, and may be unaware of their legal rights and entitlements. This day is a vital opportunity to highlight the challenges you face and to remind everyone of the invaluable role Carers play in our communities.

Why It Matters

Understanding and asserting your rights can make a world of difference. It empowers unpaid Carers to seek the support and benefits available to you. This year, Carers Rights Day falls on 21st November 2024, with the theme “Recognising Your Rights.” The aim is to help Carers identify your rights and access support, whether that’s in the workplace, healthcare, or through social services.

Key Themes for 2024

This year’s focus is on three main areas:

• Awareness: Educating Carers about your rights, such as Carer’s Leave, the right to request flexible working, and protection from discrimination.
• Support: Encouraging Carers to access available resources, like Carer’s Assessments and support during hospital discharges.
• Advocacy: Promoting the need for better recognition and support for Carers within the community and workplace.
  

Upcoming Event: Recognising Your Rights as an Unpaid Carer – Carers Rights Day 2024

Mark your calendar for Carers Rights Day on 18th November at 7pm-8:30pm! This online event, themed Recognising Your Rights, is a crucial opportunity for you as an Unpaid Carer to learn about your rights and available support.

Join expert speakers as we discuss Carer’s Leave, flexible working, Carer assessments, and more—all designed to empower you in your role. From understanding GP support to navigating hospital discharges, this session will guide you through the essentials.

Wiltshire Parent Carer Council (WPCC) are inviting Wiltshire parent Carers of children/ young people aged 0-25 years with special educational needs and/ or disabilities to share their views on Wiltshire’s Short Breaks Scheme.

Wiltshire’s current Short Breaks Scheme is commissioned until 2026. To begin to inform future decisions about the scheme, WPCC and Wiltshire Council want to have conversations with as many parent Carers as possible about this scheme.  Your child/ young person does not need to have accessed the scheme in the past or be currently eligible for the scheme for you to join in these conversations.

This is an important opportunity to help shape what a future short breaks scheme might look like in Wiltshire and we are encouraging as many parent Carers as possible to participate and share their views about social and leisure opportunities for their children/ young people.  Young people are invited to join sessions alongside their parent Carers if they would like to. 

Free tea, coffee and cake will be provided and parent Carers will be able to claim out of pocket mileage, car parking and childcare expenses incurred by attending sessions. Everyone who attends a session will be entered into a draw with the chance to win one of three £50 vouchers!

Sessions take place in September through to early October and will be held in Calne, Salisbury, Devizes and online.

Further information including details of venues can be found on the booking form. Please also click to see the flyer.