Supporting and celebrating Lincolnshire’s carers

Thursday 21 November was Carers Rights Day, and unpaid carers are being urged to find out more about the support that could help them with their role.

The theme for this year’s Carers Rights Day is recognising your rights, including those to help you access support and vital information, look after your own health and wellbeing, or get help with looking after a partner, family member or friend.

Cllr Wendy Bowkett, executive member for adult care and public health, said: “Lincolnshire’s community of carers do a fantastic job, and we want to say thank you. It’s vital you understand your rights, including the support available to you, as this can help you better balance your caring role with other aspects of your life. It can also give you the confidence to ask for help when you need it and challenge things when your rights aren’t being met. If you’re over 18, provide regular unpaid care and feel you need support, you can request a carer’s assessment. So, please don’t struggle in silence – we’re here to help.”

Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell OBE, executive member for children’s services, added: “It can be particularly challenging for young carers to juggle their caring duties with school, so it’s important they know that help is there. The council greatly values the role played by young carers, and we have support available if you need it. We can offer you and your family an opportunity to talk about your caring role and any worries you have, and help you understand you are not on your own by giving you a chance to meet other young carers.”

If you look after an older/disabled person, the law (Equality Act 2010) protects you against direct discrimination or harassment because of your caring responsibilities. Understanding your rights can be useful if you feel you have been treated unfairly because of your caring role.

As a carer, knowing your rights empowers you with information about what you’re entitled to:

• the right to request flexible working if juggling work with caring responsibilities
• having your GP practice identify you as a carer on your patient record, which might help with access to priority vaccines
• a free flu jab, if you are the main carer for an older/disabled person who may be put at risk if you became ill or if you are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance
• being a priority group for accessing covid booster jabs
• being consulted, where possible, when the person you care for is being discharged from hospital

To learn more about the support available to carers, visit www.lincolnshirecarersservice.org.uk. Alternatively, call the Lincolnshire Carers Service on 01522 782224.