A NUMBER of events will take place next week to recognise the work of the nearly 20,000 unpaid carers in Warrington.

Next week is Carers Week, which will aim to highlight the challenges faced by carers through the theme of ‘putting carers on the map’.

According to JSNA data from 2022, more than 19,000 unpaid carers live in Warrington.

An unpaid carer is defined as someone who cares for a person who is ill, disabled, has mental health concerns or is experiencing addiction and is not paid by a company or local authority.

A person with caring responsibilities may be a young person under the age of 18 caring for a family member, a parent caring for a child with care needs or adult carers over the age of 18 caring for a partner, older family member, neighbour or friend.

Warrington Borough Council will be working with its partners to provide a week of events.

A drop in at the Living Well Hub, on Horsemarket Street, will be open for carers to share their experience and help inform the next Warrington Carers Strategy.

This will be open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, excluding Thursday which will be open from 9.30am until 1pm.

Talking Points, which are friendly and accessible spaces in Warrington to seek advice, will be hosting Warrington Carers Hub at the Gateway in the town centre on Tuesday, June 11 from 10am-12pm.

It will also be at Latchford Methodist Church Hall on Wednesday, June 12 at the same time.

Warrington Carers Hub will also be holding coffee and chat sessions, with a free reiki raster session, across Warrington – details of which can be found here.

For young carers, Warrington Carers Hub will have activities throughout the week, including a meal out so that they can interact with peers.

Young carers must be registered with Warrington Carers Hub to attend.

On Thursday between 2pm and 4pm, Warrington Disability Partnership’s Galleries Café will be open for unpaid carers for free tea, coffee, cake and a complimentary reiki treatment.

Warrington Disability Partnership is also proving carers registered with the Carers Hub the opportunity to book onto canal boat trips on Friday, June 14.

“Unpaid carers play a fundamental role in helping people and communities in Warrington,” said Caroline Williams, director of adult social care.

“It is a valuable, yet challenging role, with people often juggling other commitments such as work, education, and family life.

“Due to caring responsibilities, carers often put themselves in second place, which can place strain on their health and wellbeing.

“This is why it is important that carers access the help and support that is available to them.”

Launching next week is a local survey that will help inform Warrington Carers Strategy and set out what is required to meet unpaid carers’ needs across the next three years.

“The Warrington Carers Strategy details how we can strive to provide support for our carers, given the selfless work they do,” said Caroline.

“It is important that we listen to our carers, so we can shape the next strategy to something that reflects the local pictures and the current and future needs of carers in Warrington.”

Carers in Warrington will have the opportunity to contribute to this survey online until the end of July.