Carers Week 2021 declared a huge success in Sheffield

This follows on from the three charities’ collaboration to launch two great initiatives as part of their contribution to national Carers Week 2021.

A whole host of activities took place, from social walks for adult carers to an online party for young carers, which recognised the contribution of carers of all ages and helped them to take a break from their caring, to relax and have fun.

Sheffield City Trust also developed two exciting free offers for unpaid carers, and the take up was hailed as ‘fantastic’.

Their offers of a ‘special 7-day Fitness Pass’ and ‘free ice-skating sessions’ are proving very popular with carers.

Hundreds of people have already visited the Sheffield City Trust website for details and more than 30 carers signed up for the free fitness pass last week.

At Ice Sheffield on June 19 there will be more than 50 young carers, alongside family and friends, enjoying the trust’s free ice skating offer. There will be another free ice-skating session for young carers on June 26.

Cllr George Lindars-Hammond visited Hillsborough Leisure Centre to see how things were progressing.

He said: “As a city that really values carers, it’s so good to see this initiative working and supporting carers. I hope as many people as possible take these offers up and look forward to seeing how this shapes the future direction!”.

Rob Womack, health, wellbeing and partnerships manager at Sheffield City Trust said: “We exist to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Sheffield. We are delighted by the uptake on our activities so far, and that we’ve been able to play a part in raising awareness for carers. This is why we are so excited by this initiative, and by our long-term partnership with Sheffield Carers Centre and Sheffield Young Carers.”

Pauline Kimantas from Sheffield Carers Centre and Katie Borland from Sheffield Young Carers explained: “It’s been wonderful to see the awareness we’ve all raised on behalf of carers so far this year. Hearing from carers themselves on the radio and through the media has brought a reality to caring that helps people understand what carers do. Collaborating with partners such as Sheffield City Trust is helping to put a spotlight on caring, whilst engaging carers in activities that are fun and support their own health and wellbeing.”

Carers Week is an annual campaign that aims to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities all over the UK. It also aims to help people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support. For more information about the national campaign visit: www.carersweek.org If you are an unpaid carer in Sheffield, or know someone who is, please visit: www.doyoucare.co.uk for more information on the support available.