Carers Conference a first for community heroes
Date: 28 March 2023
The needs and challenges of community heroes providing vital care for vulnerable folk in Orkney will be front and centre at a special gathering in May.
The conference for unpaid carers will take place at the Pickaquoy Centre on Thursday 18 May and has been organised by Orkney Health and Care (OHAC) with the support of the Carers Strategy Group, a local multi-agency forum aimed at improving support for and awareness of unpaid carers.
Believed to be the first of its kind in Scotland, and possibly the UK, the event is aimed at exploring the key challenges for unpaid carers and the support that could make a huge difference to their quality of life, and those they care for.
Feedback from the day will help inform a Carers Strategy for the next five years aimed at setting out how local services can better support carers in Orkney, and an action plan.
The Orkney Dementia Choir will open and close the day with a performance, with attendees being led through a series of talks and focus groups by hosts for the day, Gillian Skuse, CEO of Age Scotland Orkney (and serving Orkney Islands Council elected member), and John Richards, former Orkney Islands Council housing chief, retired Councillor, and long time champion of the challenges facing carers.
Importantly, the afternoon will see facilitated discussions aimed at enabling carers to talk about their challenges and the changes they would like to see to policy and services, and learn from each other.
The day will close with a panel discussion and Q&A.
Stephen Brown, OHAC Chief Officer, said: “It’s vital as we look to set priorities for the next five years of support for carers that it’s based on what our local carers tell us they need – they are the experts here and can tell us what is working in Orkney’s unique context, what isn’t, and the changes that could make the most difference for them.”
The day will run from 9:45am through to around 2pm.
Book your place on EventBrite here
Folk can also book by phoning Crossroads Care Orkney on Tel: 01856 870500
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