CARERS RIGHTS DAY

‘Caring for your income/pension and your health’

About 50 Carers and other professionals attended the Carer’s Rights Day in Haverfordwest in December 2009. The day was organised by Pembrokeshire Carers Centre (formerly Pembrokeshire Carers Outreach), Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS), Pembrokeshire County Council and supported by voluntary organisations who provide services for carers. The event highlighted the benefits and services available to Carers in the County.

Presentations and workshops throughout the day focused on ways in which Carers can look after their health as well as learn about their pensions and benefits entitlements. This event also saw the launch of a new Carers Pack, which has been developed by the County Council and Voluntary Organisations including PAVS and PCO.

In the afternoon carers were able to relax with taster sessions of complementary therapies and seek individual advice regarding the theme of the day given by Organisations supporting carers. Free lunch was very much appreciated and ‘delicious’

For information on the outcome of the workshops about ‘What would be your top priority for improvement in health services for carers?’ and other issues please contact Nicole van Schie, Carers Development worker at PAVS on 01437 771196 or email Nicole.vanschie@pavs.org.uk

Carers Champion Councillor Sian James is pictured at the Rights Day with (Front): Maureen Canton, Pembrokeshire Carers Centre and Anne Isaac, Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services. Back: Mel Richards, Pembrokeshire County Council and Phil Marsden from the Pensions Service.

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The Carers and Employment event was recently held at Haverfordwest Rugby Club.

For those who could not attend here is a short video from Nicole Van Schie, Carers Development Worker at PAVS.

PAVS develops services for carers throughout Pembrokeshire in line with the Carers Strategy and develops ways in which carers and carers' organisations can play a full part in multi-agency partnership planning. The Carers Development Worker can develop and support carers groups to identify areas of unmet need, which can then be fed into the planning process.

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Carers have a voice through Carers Reps (representatives) taking part in meetings. The following table lists the carer reps and the meetings in which they participate:

If there are other carers who are interested in becoming a carer rep or would like to find out what is involved, please contact Nicole van Schie, Carers Development Worker on 01437 771196.

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