Carers Week 2014 is running from the 9 – 14 June. Carers Week is a UK-wide annual awareness campaign. Its aim is to improve the lives of carers and the people they care for. Carers Week raises awareness of carers and there are plenty of opportunities and event in Kent and Medway to find out more about the caring and the support that you can receive.

One in eight of us are currently carers looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member or friend. The very nature of caring means very often people don’t at first, or sometimes ever, identify themselves as carers. Rather, they think of themselves simply as wife, husband, son, daughter, mum, dad or perhaps grandparent, niece or nephew helping a loved one.

Without the right help and support caring can have a devastating impact – carers can quickly become cut off with their physical and emotional health, work and, their finances all hit hard.

There are a lot of events in Kent and Medway that are running next week to support Carers Week where you can find out about caring and get information, advice, support and help.

• If you are in West Kent or Medway follow the link to see what Carers First are doing in Carers Week.
• If you are in East Kent, Carers Support Canterbury, Dover and Thanet are also holding events to support Carers Week, click on the link to find out more.
• For more information and advice about caring go to Live It Well Carers page.
• Find out more about Carers Week and the Carers Week Quest
• To see what support and help Kent County Council give carers follow the link.
• To see what support and help Medway Council give carers follow the link.