Orkney Carers’ Conference speakers confirmed

The needs of community heroes providing vital and voluntary care for folk will be shared by speakers at the Orkney Carers’ Conference in May.

Between them, presenters lined up for the conference have a wealth of personal and professional experience of unpaid carers and the challenges the face each day.

Speakers at the conference include:

• Jim Love, who together with his wife Marie, provides care and support for an older person. In 2022 Jim was invited to become the 'unpaid carer' representative on the Integration Joint Board, the body with responsibility for the delivery of a large range of health and social care services.
• Jaynie Mitchell from the Coalition of Carers in Scotland, who has first hand experience of a close family member with high care needs, and extensive experience working with councils to highlight innovative ways support payments can be made to meet individual circumstances and ambitions.
• Stephen Brown, Orkney Health and Social Care Chief Officer.
• Arlene Montgomery, Manager of Crossroads Care Orkney, the organisation which supports unpaid carers in Orkney. Arlene will also speak about challenges of young carers and the support available to them. Young people will be nominated and helped to attend by schools and other services.
• Beth Friel from Carers Trust Scotland, the organisation providing help and support to unpaid carers across the country.

Anyone who looks after people in the community – whether a friend, neighbour or relative – are invited to attend. Also welcome are people working with unpaid carers, including young carers. Attendance is free and lunch and refreshments will be provided.

The conference takes place at the Pickaquoy Centre on Thursday 18 May and can now be booked via EventBrite.

Stephen Brown, OHAC Chief Officer, said: “What we know is that most of us will at some stage in our lives become an unpaid carer, or be cared for ourselves. This can happen at very little notice, and the life changes and challenges can be profound. This conference aims to draw out the unique challenges for carers in Orkney, and help services plan the best support we can, so we’d urge anyone with an interest or experience to join us.”

The Orkney Carers Conference will run from 9:45am through to around 2pm. There will be an option for folk to join online too.

More details including an EventBrite link to book online is available at www.orkney.gov.uk/carersconference

Folk can also book by phoning Crossroads Care Orkney on Tel: 01856 870500