Over the past year, many of us have faced new challenges both at work and at home. The pandemic has had a widespread effect that has been felt throughout the world by every individual in one way or another.

This is especially true within the Court of Protection. The families of our vulnerable clients have faced extremely challenging circumstances as a result of the pandemic, some have had to shield and in some cases, prevent access to employed carers, taking on this burden themselves for the safety of their family. Other people have kindly stepped up and became either paid or unpaid carers to a family, friend or neighbour, checking in on them during the lockdown and taking on responsibilities such as shopping and cleaning for those who need extra support.

Whilst many of these individuals feel that caring is one of the most important things they do, the challenges it brings and the impact across all aspects of their life can be very disruptive and overwhelming.

Each year we celebrate our carers during ‘Carers Week’, an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, to highlight the challenges carers face and to recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. 

This year however, it is even more important to recognise the vital service carers provide and the difficulties they are experiencing. This year Carers Week will run from Monday 7 June until Sunday 13 June 2021 and its theme is to Make Caring Visible and Valued. 

At BHP Law we have marked this important week by designing a leaflet for all of our clients who have the support of their family and/or other unpaid carers. We have done this to highlight the support and services available to carers all in one place. We have included information and links to free e-learning resources, mental health support, financial assistance, charity support groups, helplines, and events they can take part in alongside other carers.

We are incredibly grateful to all our unpaid carers for the great work they do in supporting our Deputyship clients.

We urge everyone to check in on any carers you know this week and we have included a selection of links to helpful resources and support you may wish to share with them below.

• e-learning resources

https://www.elfh.org.uk/programmes/supporting-unpaid-carers/

e-learning healthcare offers free bite-sized e-learning sessions for carers, developed with expert advice from Carers UK, with links to organisations offering more advice on topics relevant to that session.

• Mental Health support

https://www.rethink.org/

Rethink Mental Illness has resources on their website that can help you if you are worried about your own mental health.

• Telephone helplines:

Carers Direct (NHS) - 0300 123 1053

They can give information and advice on your caring role. You can talk to them about what options are available to you.

Carers UK - 0808 808 777

Carers UK is a national charity who give advice, information, and support to carers. They connect carers so no-one has to care alone and campaign for and on behalf of carers.

• Support by location:

https://www.sunderlandcarers.co.uk/

https://www.gatesheadcarers.com/

https://www.newcastlecarers.org.uk/

http://www.durhamcarers.info/

https://carerstogether.co.uk/  (Teesside and Cleveland)