Work may end at 5pm. Caring doesn’t. And we’re still here.
Being an unpaid carer is tough. And caring doesn’t keep office hours. Thousands of people in Surrey are juggling holding down a job with caring for an ill or disabled parent, partner or child.
You may feel overwhelmed, exhausted. In the UK 1,500 people a day are forced to give up work because of their caring role (Carers UK). That equates to 27 each day here in Surrey.
69% of carers who are employees said they haven’t focused on their career as much as they’d like, and 61% said caring has affected the type of employment they’ve taken on.
Caring doesn’t keep office hours
Surrey charity, Action for Carers is here to help all of Surrey’s unpaid carers, aged 5-99.
We know a lot of carers are still working, and struggling. And it can be hard to access support during the traditional working day.
So we have expanded our opening hours. If you need answers or support, our Helpline is now open till 7.30pm, Monday-Thursday, (Friday till 5pm), and open 9am-12.30pm on Saturdays. Just call us on 0303 040 1234.
We are also putting more events on in the evenings, both online and face to face, as well as Saturday sessions. You can find all our events here: www.actionforcarers.org.uk/events This includes drop in Hubs on Saturdays, in Addlestone, Camberley, Epsom, Guildford, Oxted, Redhill, Walton and Woking.
Our events and groups cover all sorts of topics, but include special sessions on topics like your rights (including at work) and support for groups such as parent carers.
Events for Working Carers
This October and November, in the lead up Carers Rights Day, we’re holding some special events in support of working carers (online, weekends and evenings):
- (Now passed Employments rights for working carers Saturday 17th October, 10-11am)
- Employments rights for working carers Thursday 29th October, 7pm-8pm
- Benefits advice for working carers Saturday 17th October, 11.15-12.15pm
- Benefits advice for working carers Thursday 22nd October, 7-8pm
NOVEMBER
- Benefits advice for working carers Saturday 14th November, 10-11am
- Benefits advice for working carers Tuesday 17th November, 6-7pm
- Employment rights for working carers Tuesday 17th November 7.15-8.15pm
- Employment rights for working carers, Saturday 21st November 10-11am
The Benefits sessions are being run with Surrey Welfare Rights Unit, who provide specialist benefit help for Surrey’s unpaid carers.
Carers Rights Day is Thursday 19th November. Find out more about your rights as a carer here.
Please click on the events above to book your space today.
We can help – contact Action for Carers today
Let others know
Many carers are struggling. Please share this page with others in need. Thank you.
Below is our new radio advert. You are welcome to download and share the graphics shown below.
Hear our radio advert:
