13/06/2024
Our Carers Support Team is ‘Putting Carers on the Map’ to highlight the immense contribution unpaid carers provide to their loved ones every day as part of Carers Week 2024 (10 – 16 June 2024).
Western Trust Chair Dr Tom Frawley attended the evening event at the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh and expressed his gratitude to unpaid carers across the Western Trust geography he said:
“I am privileged to be invited to attend the Carers event in Omagh as part of Carers Week.
This year’s theme ‘Putting Carers on the Map’ is a welcome opportunity for the Trust and other stakeholders in the community and voluntary sector to acknowledge the incredible care and support unpaid carers provide to their loved one each and every day. I wish to first and foremost, thank all the unpaid carers who provide support and care for a loved one across the Western Trust. Carer’s week is an opportunity to celebrate caring and highlight the amazing work you do. We are indebted to our carers for going above and beyond in difficult circumstances and I wish to say a huge thank you to them for everything they do.”
Geraldine McLaughlin, recently appointed Carers Coordinator for the Western Trust said:
“As part of Carers Week the Trust Carers Support Team we are delighted to welcome carers to this year’s health and wellbeing events. This is an opportunity for our unpaid carers to come together, have a chat and enjoy some well-deserved pampering and a delicious meal.
Our unpaid carers were invited to attend events on:-
- 06 June 2024 at the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh (evening event)
- 11 June 2024 at the White Horse Hotel, Derry/Londonderry
- 13 June 2024 at the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen
“A carer is someone, who without payment provides help for a relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage without this support. The support can range from doing shopping, collecting prescriptions, taking the cared for person to appointments, meal provision or personal care. It can be isolating being a carer and therefore we encourage carers to connect with the Western Trust Carers Support Team.
“The Carers Support team maintain a carers mailing list which aims to keep carers informed with up to date information. The Carers Handbook is available to unpaid carers, giving them access to a supportive resource which helps them to explore the services available to them and how to communicate effectively with other people to help support their needs – which will improve their own health and wellbeing and that of the person they care for. This free booklet is available in our hospital and community facilities, GP Surgeries or by getting in touch with the carers support team on 028 6634 4217 or 028 7135 5023.
“The team deliver a range of activities either face to face or virtually to assist carers in maintaining their own health and well-being throughout the year and we would encourage our carers to take some time out of their caring roles to participate in some of the wonderful programmes.
“Thank you again to each and every one of our carers for the care and support they provide on a daily basis. Please continue to stay safe and take care of yourself and your loved ones.”
If you are an unpaid carer who looks after a loved one and would like information please contact the Geraldine McLaughlin, Carers Coordinator (028) 7135 5023 or Email: GeraldineAnn.McLaughlin@westerntrust.hscni.net or Carers Support Team on (028) 6634 4163 Email: Carers.Support1@westerntrust.hscni.net
