Adult Social Care

Do you care for someone? Do you know your rights? Carers Rights Day - Thursday 26th November 2020

Two thirds of UK adults can expect to care unpaid for a loved one in their lifetime - figures released for Carers Rights Day show. At least 12,000 Reading residents are providing unpaid care and caring is on the increase, particularly as more people have been affected by COVID-19 which has caused health problems for some, and also made it harder for families to use their usual support services. Carers may not know what their rights are or the support they are entitled to from their employers. Whether you are a new carer or have been caring for someone for a while, it is important that you know about the support that is available for you and your rights. Each year, Carers Rights Day strives to:
  • ensure carers are aware of their rights
  • let carers know where to get help and support
  • support the needs of carers.
This Carers Rights Day, we want to empower carers with information and support - so they can feel confident asking for what they need, and challenge when their rights are not being met. TuVida Carers Hub are offering online events to carers on Thursday 26th November and Friday 27th November. Sessions include:
  • employment rights; answering carers questions around flexible working and reasonable adjustments
  • housing benefit and bedroom tax
  • going to court and appointing a litigation friend
  • direct payments, what this involves and carers rights to an assessement
  • digital resources available to carers to help build support networks and manage care
  • carers rights; furlough, redundancy, pensions and benefits.
Find out more at Reading Services Guide. Call 0118 324 7333 or email berkshirehub@tuvida.org to book onto a session. Cllr Tony Jones, Reading’s Lead Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Carers play a vital role in our community and they deserve the best advice and support. Some people may not see themselves as carers or know they have specific rights and that they are entitled to additional support. I’d encourage carers to sign up and find out more about support they and their loved ones can get to make life easier.”

“Most of us will care for or be cared for at some point in our lives and without the right financial and practical support in place it can also be tough. We’re encouraging people to think about what support they might need so that they don’t miss out now or in the future.”