Thursday 20 November is Carers Rights Day, and unpaid carers are being urged to find out more about the support that could help them with their role.
The theme for this year’s Carers Rights Day is ‘know your rights, use your rights’, including those to help you access support and vital information, look after your own health and wellbeing, or get help with looking after a partner, family member or friend.
Cllr Steve Clegg, executive member for adult care and public health, said: “We want to make sure that Lincolnshire’s carers are getting the support they need and are entitled to. Being a carer can be a challenging role, but help is available to offer you a better balance between your caring role and the other things that matter to you. Knowing your rights can give you the confidence to ask for help when you need it and speak up when things aren’t as they should be.”
Cllr Natalie Oliver, executive member for children’s services, added: "We know it can be tough for young carers in particular, juggling their caring duties with school, and we do have support available if you need it. We can offer you and your family an opportunity to talk about how things are going and share any worries. We can also give you a chance to meet other young carers in a similar situation. Sometimes knowing that you aren’t the only one going through this can make all the difference.”
Understanding your rights can be useful if you feel you have been treated unfairly because of your caring role. As a carer, you’re entitled to:
- the right to request flexible working if juggling work with caring responsibilities
- having your GP practice identify you as a carer on your patient record, which might help you access priority vaccines. The county council can provide a template letter for you to identify yourself as a carer
- a free flu jab, if you are the main carer for an older/disabled person who may be put at risk if you became ill or if you are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance
- being a priority group for accessing covid booster jabs
- being consulted, where possible, when the person you care for is being discharged from hospital
To learn more about the support available to carers, visit www.lincolnshirecarersservice.org.uk. Alternatively, call the Lincolnshire Carers Service on 01522 782224. You can also find useful information and advice on a wide range of topics at https://lincolnshire.connecttosupport.org.