Dr Jane Hawking, former wife of Professor Stephen Hawking, is to address a major event organised by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and Carers Trust Cambridgeshire to mark national Carers Week (6-12 June).
Following an inspiring talk about the stresses and strains of caring for those with physical disabilities at a Carers Trust Cambridgeshire event last year, she will turn her attention to the equally stressful challenge of coping with mental ill health when giving the keynote speech at the Sharing The Caring event on Tuesday, 7 June at the C3 Centre, Coldhams Lane, Cambridge.
Her address will be followed by the first Pride in Our Carers Awards 2016 – organised by Carers Trust Cambridgeshire and Carers Trust Peterborough – to celebrate the valued work of carers and the organisations that support them.
The day will also host a lively market place with plenty of opportunity for carers to talk to health and care professionals about the support they need, including tips about health and wellbeing and on how technology can aid them. Interactive sessions will come from organisations such as Rethink, MIND, Making Space, Pinpoint, Assistive Technology, and CPFT’s Recovery College.
Aidan Thomas, Chief Executive, CPFT, said: “We know that there are thousands of unpaid carers in Cambridgeshire and that they are essential partners in support and recovery. So we’ve joined forces with Carers Trust Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to organise a major event during Carers Week to give them the chance to ask questions, get answers and share their experiences.”
Dr Helen Brown, Chief Executive, Carers Trust Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “We are delighted that Dr Jane Hawking can speak at our conference about the devastating impact of mental illness. Jane’s personal experiences as a carer inspired many of our family carers when she spoke at a conference we held last year because she can connect with them and their struggles. She openly spoke about feeling burnt out and exhausted when she looked after Professor Hawking and will now turn her attention to the equally stressful challenge for family carers of looking after someone with mental illness.
“The Pride in Our Carers Awards is a glowing testament and heartfelt thanks to family carers and organisations that support them in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, those who have gone the extra mile to make a big difference to someone’s life. Each shortlisted candidate has a moving and inspirational story to tell which we will highlight on the day. Choosing a winner is extremely difficult when they all give so much, they are all winners in our hearts and minds.”
Carers can also take part in national survey the Government has launched to develop a new strategy for carers, which aims to improve the support available to them.
Last year CPFT joined the Triangle of Care and carers will hear how the scheme is strengthening the involvement of carers and families in care planning, treatment and support.
Are you a carer? To book your place on Tuesday 7 June (10am-4pm) telephone 01733 748386 or go to
www.sharingthecaring.eventbrite.co.uk
