Sheffield is set to see its first Carers Roadshow next week (Thursday 5 October) as over 30 local organisations that support unpaid carers in Sheffield all come together for the day.
The Roadshow has been organised by Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Carers Centre, Sheffield Young Carers, and NHS South Yorkshire and is also supported by NHS England, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHSFT and Sheffield Health and Social Care NHSFT, as well as two national Carers charities Carers UK and Carers Trust.
The vision is for Sheffield to be a city where Carers are valued and have the right support to continue to care for as long as they want to with a common aim to put the carer at the heart of everything.
There are over 60,000 unpaid carers in Sheffield with only approximately 10,000 having contact with the Sheffield Carers Centre, Sheffield Young Carers and Sheffield Parent Carer Forum so awareness needs to be raised and carers encouraged to reach out.
Ian Atkinson, Deputy Place Director - from NHS South Yorkshire (Sheffield) said: “We’re very excited to be working with so many local organisations to launch the first ever Sheffield Carers Roadshow. It will help raise awareness of the tremendous contribution that thousands of unpaid carers in the city make to our local communities.
“Becoming a carer can be a gradual process with some people not recognising the changing nature of their relationship with the person they support and therefore not always identifying themselves as ‘a carer’. They may be supporting a family member or good friend who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction who cannot cope without help to complete day to day routines.
“Sometimes Carers need to reach out for help and support to make both their own and their cared for lives easier. It is essential we look after our Carers to maintain their own health and wellbeing.”
At the Roadshow carers will be able to access a wide range of information and to consider what matters to them and those they care for. They will also be encouraged to have a ‘voice’ to help plan future services.
The Carers Centre has already received this comment: "I've been caring for my loved one for years, and it can be quite challenging. The Sheffield Carers Roadshow is something I'm really looking forward to. It's not just an event; it's a chance for us carers to connect, share experiences, and learn from experts. I'm excited to gain insights, get support, and be part of a community that understands what we go through every day. The Roadshow promises to be an invaluable experience, and I can't wait to be there!"
The support agencies attending will be encouraged to work together and become familiar with each other, strengthening essential networks and looking at what is working well and any improvements for the future.
This event takes place at the Sheffield Winter Garden and the Mercure St Paul’s Hotel in Sheffield city centre from 10.30am to 5:00pm on Thursday 5 October.
It will be formally opened by local dignitaries representing the partnership, a local adult carer and young carer, and attendees will be joined by the Lord Mayor and John Burkill know in Sheffield as ‘the man with the pram’.
Full details are available on the Sheffield Carers Centre website (www.sheffieldcarers.org.uk). This includes information about more than 20 mini presentations being available on the day, Care for a Cuppa sessions hosted by Carers UK, plus a list of all the organisations having stalls and taking part.
All Sheffield Carers are invited to attend the event. If you unable to make the event you can follow the Sheffield Carers Centre website for information on how to access the organisations at a more appropriate time.
Sheffield Carers Centre is a local independent charity founded in 1994, that is also affiliated to the national Carers Trust charity. We provide a range of high-quality services to unpaid adult carers in Sheffield; and are committed to raising the profile of caring and making a difference to carers’ lives.
