Carers Week: Companies invited to support Time for Me Appeal

Companies in East Kent are being invited to help ‘make Carers feel visible and valued’ this Carers Week (7-13 June) by supporting our Time for Me Fund Appeal.

1 in 9 people in Kent are Carers, looking after a relative or friend who can’t manage without their support. Carers do this all year round, but can feel that what they do is invisible and undervalued in their communities.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Carers have continued to play an essential role supporting older, disabled and seriously ill relatives and friends, doing so most of the time on their own behind closed doors. Many have not been able to get breaks from caring or access much of the support they would normally have relied on.

Jill Attwell, Chief Executive at Carers’ Support East Kent says:

“Thanks to the support of a number of East Kent companies, our recently launched Time for Me Appeal (to give Carers a much-needed break) will be getting a boost. Feel Good Fashion in Deal has donated 20% of their sales during May; Nurseplus in Dover has selected us as their charity partner for the next year and Morrisons in Dover are fundraising for us. We’re urging other companies to come forward and support our Appeal too so that as many Carers as possible can benefit.”

David from Canterbury, who is the main Carer for his wife who has Multiple Sclerosis finds it increasingly difficult to get the breaks he needs.

“My wife was diagnosed with secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis in 1999.  Her support needs have increased since then and she now uses a wheelchair and isn’t able to move. During the last 12 years in particular, I’ve needed to do a lot more for her. We do have care workers come in every weekday to get her up but aside from that I really do everything else – transferring her in and out of her wheelchair using the hoist, getting her dressed, washed, toileting and feeding her. My sleep has been disturbed for a long time as she often wakes confused and needs moving several times a night. One of my biggest issues as a Carer has been getting breaks. For me, having a break means putting everything at home to one side, a time to refresh mentally and be away from my caring responsibilities.”

Nurseplus Dover provides care to the most vulnerable individuals allowing them to continue living in the comfort of their own homes. Registered Branch Manager, Kayleigh Davis says:

“We’re supporting Carers’ Support East as we see just how difficult it can be for Carers to take a break and find time to look after themselves. We’re hoping to raise lots of money through various fundraising events over the next 12 months for the Time for Me Fund Appeal.”

For more information about how individuals and companies can support the Time for Me Fund Appeal visit carersek.org.uk/time-for-me-appeal or email fundraising@carersek.org.uk

Carers Week is an annual awareness campaign that celebrates and recognises the vital contribution of the UK’s Carers.