Recap of Carers Week 2021

7th-13th June marked Carers Week 2021. www.carersweek.org defined the week as “an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.” 

This year’s theme for #CarersWeek2021 was making caring visible and valued. 

The Lancashire-based charity S.E.E.D Lancashire and its treatment arm, Preston-based not for profit Breathe Therapies, took part in the week by posting content thanking parents and carers for their contributions to helping individuals struggling receive the support and care they need. 

Breathe’s Clinical Coordinator explained the integral part of the carer in helping an individual struggling on their journey to recovery stating: “Families and other carers can play an essential role in the recovery of someone with an eating disorder, helping them to access treatment, advocating for evidence-based treatment to be provided, and supporting them with the challenges of recovery.” 

To the parents and carers, she says: “caring for a loved one with an eating disorder can be a very difficult role, it is often frustrating, overwhelming and very often the impact this can have on you is overlooked. It is really important that as a carer you take time to look after yourself.” 

Research released for Carers Week has found that carers lost on average, 25 hours of support a month they previously had from services or family and friends before the pandemic. 

Therefore, both S.E.E.D and Breathe also aimed to use this week to raise awareness about the support both organisations have for parents and carers struggling. 

S.E.E.D offers support not only for individuals struggling but for carers too. The charity have a range of resources for carers on their website and also run a free online carer’s advice and information clinic alternate Fridays on zoom. 

Breathe Therapies also offer Family Therapy in addition to several other parent communication meetings which can be integrated into the treatment plan of the individual struggling. 

For more information on ways Breathe and S.E.E.D can help, give them a call today at 01772 915735.