The festival aims to support carers to take a moment to check-in on their own health and wellbeing.
Disability Awareness Day is an annual event hosted by Warrington Disability Partnership. It provides a variety of fun-filled events and highlights the support services, equipment and aids available to enable disabled people to stay independent throughout life and work.
Ahead of the main event on Sunday 16 July, the Warrington Carers Hub (The Hub) will be hosting the Carers Wellbeing Festival on Thursday 13 July, in Marquee 4 at Walton Gardens, from 10am to 2pm.
The Hub is a support service for carers in Warrington, and can provide support with not only wellbeing, but also with providing advice and guidance to enable carers to take a break from their caring tasks. The Hub can also connect people with other carers in the town through support groups, activities and coffee mornings, so that carers can speak with those who are going through similar experiences.
In the most recent Carers UK State of Caring report, it was found that 41% of carers hadn’t taken a break in the previous year, and a quarter of these carers (26%) hadn’t tried to take a break because they felt it was too difficult.
Cllr Paul Warburton, cabinet member for statutory health and adult social care, said: “Disability Awareness Day is a key event in our town’s calendar, and the Carers Wellbeing Festival is a fantastic part of the festivities to help encourage carers to take a moment for themselves and support their own health and wellbeing.
“While many carers may already be aware of the event through the Warrington Carers Hub, I’d like invite carers who aren’t currently accessing any support to come along to the festival so they can speak to the carers team and find out more about how The Hub can support them.
“This is particularly important for people who have caring responsibilities but don’t yet recognise themselves as carers. Do you help with someone’s medication? Do you help someone with household tasks? Do you routinely give someone general support, without which they might struggle? You’re a carer! Come and find out what support is available to you.”
A spokesperson from The Hub said: “The Carers Wellbeing Festival is a place for carers to pause and focus on their wellbeing and mental health, and to look at activities that can support this. On the day we will have a number of fun activities such as therapeutic drumming, and a buffet lunch sponsored by United Utilities will also be provided.
“An unpaid carer to a friend, family member or relative, can enable those with caring needs to live as independently as possible, however it can be physically and mentally tiring on the carer. The festival highlights the importance of carers taking a moment to check in with how they’re feeling, and to practice techniques to help relieve some of the mental pressure.”
The Carers Wellbeing Festival takes place on Thursday 13 July, 10am to 2pm in Marquee 4 at Walton Hall and Gardens. To book, email Deborah.Fitzsimon@warringtoncarershub.org.uk or call 07734 872 412 noting who will be attending the event with you, and carers are invited to bring the person they care for to this event.
Although booking is required to access therapies and the buffet lunch, those who haven’t booked are welcome to drop in on the day to access advice and support from The Hub team.
For more information about Warrington Disability Awareness Day, visit disabilityawarenessday.org.uk.
To find out more about Warrington Carers Hub, visit n-compass.org.uk/our-services/carers/warrington-carers-hub.
If you are a carer and would like to participate in the latest Carers UK national State of Caring survey, visit Carers UK website. The closing date is 3 August.