For Carers Rights Day this November we are bringing together experts from across local government and the voluntary sector to share their expertise with unpaid carers.
Among others, Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire Parent Carer Council (WPCC), Silverline Legal, Dorothy House and Citizens Advice will deliver talks on a range of topics helpful to carers. In addition, many more organisations will be available to speak to at stalls in the ‘information hub’. We hope the day will help empower all carers with the knowledge they need to live their lives well and help them feel supported in their caring roles.
The expo takes place on Tuesday 21 November between 10.00am-6.30pm at Trowbridge Civic Centre. Tickets are free (donation optional) and can be booked in advance here.
We know that unpaid carers are facing profound challenges – with a struggling social care system and NHS, and increasing financial pressures due to the cost-of-living crisis, carers are under increased stress and are providing more hours of care. Join us at the expo and find out if you are receiving all of the support available to you as a carer.
Agenda
10:00 – 18:30
Information hall
Join organisations from across the public, voluntary and commercial sectors in our information hall. They are all there to give you advice and guidance about your caring role.
11:30 – 12:30
Getting back into education/workplace
Wiltshire Council’s Family & Community Learning Team
Get some great advice about getting back into employment or education from Wiltshire Council’s Family & Community Learning Team.
11:30 – 12:30
Building the support around you
Carer Support Wiltshire & Wiltshire Council
Come and find out more about how to build the right support for you in your caring role. Hear from staff at Carer Support Wiltshire about deciding what good support looks like for you. Wiltshire Council adults services will also be there to talk about they support they can give.
13:00 – 14:00
How to navigate the benefits system
Citizens Advice Wiltshire
Join the Carers Project team at Wiltshire Citizens Advice for guidance about how to navigate the benefits system.
13:00 – 14:00
What you need to know about looking after a child with additional needs
Carer Support Wiltshire & Wiltshire Parent Carer Council
Join our new family team and Wiltshire Parent Carer Council for guidance on caring for a child with additional needs.
14:30 – 15:30
In case of an emergency (incl practical session)
Carer Support Wiltshire and Aid Training
Come and learn more about how to plan for an emergency. We’ll be talking about how to write an emergency plan, our Carers Emergency Card and give you some practical first aid tips. Please note there is a practical element to this session.
14:30 – 15:30
When the time comes
Carer Support Wiltshire and Dorothy House Hospice
Planning for the end of your caring role isn’t an easy topic. Join ourselves and Dorothy House Hospice for some advice and guidance about preparing for bereavement, managing grief and life after caring.
16:00 – 17:00
Estate planning
Silverline Legal
Join experts Silverline Legal for guidance on estate planning. They will look at inheritance tax, sideways inheritance and setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney.
16:00 – 17:00
Looking after you
CSW, Wiltshire Council, Olive Branch Counselling
We know that looking after yourself when you are caring for someone can be hard. At this session we’ll be looking at some of the ways you can do that. You’ll hear from ourselves, Wiltshire Council’s Health Trainers and Olive Branch Counselling.
17:30 – 18:30
What you need to know about looking after an elderly parent
Carer Support Wiltshire
Do your parents need more support now as they are getting older? Are you finding you are doing increasingly more to help them out, for example shopping, taking them to medical appointments or making sure they are looking after themselves properly? Many of us do this without thinking and the amount of support we’re providing can creep up without intention or proper consideration. Come and find out more about some of the things to think about when supporting parents into older age.
