ROTARY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CARERS UK

It is estimated that there are 6.5 million carers in the UK, UNPAID, with an increase of 4.5 million more since Covid erupted. Some of these carers are SCHOOL CHILDREN. There are 47,000 carers in Wiltshire alone and 3000 of them are in Royal Wootton Bassett and district. 65% of people are likely to care in their lifetime. They are holding families together, enabling loved ones to get the most out of life, making an enormous contribution to society and saving the economy billions of pounds.

Rotary UK and Ireland have announced a twelve month partnership with Carers UK, working together to raise awareness of caring and Carers UK, which is one of the largest organisations in the country supporting unpaid carers. Rotary Carers UK will help by spreading the word at a time when many carers are providing more than ever due to the current crisis. Connecting with carers and supporting them is key to our partnership. 

November 26th is Carers Rights Day in  which Carers UK brings organisations together across the UK to help carers know their rights and to find out how to get the help and support they are entitled to. Rotarian Linda Clarke is working hard to encourage Rotarians to become Care Ambassadors in their local areas in Wiltshire. Our club, the Rotary Club of Royal Wootton Bassett and District has chosen Carer Support Wiltshire as one of our charities for the year and have so far donated  £250 to the cause and we anticipate an additional amount being donated before the end of this Rotary year.

If you are interested in finding out more about the work that Rotary is doing with carers, please see Rotary website www.rotarygbi.org/rotary-great-britain-ireland. The Carers website is, www.carersuk.org, which will provide help with any issues for carers arising from the impact of coronavirus and other helpful advise.