Five businesses based in Bath or with interests in the city are showing their support for local carers by sponsoring the BANES Carers’ Centre annual awards night.
Bath-headquartered housing association Curo, law firm Mogers Drewett, print chain Minuteman Press, Gerrard Financial Consulting, based at Blagdon, near Bristol, and Bluebird Care, one of the UK’s largest providers of homecare services, and have agreed to sponsor an award for the evening, which takes place next month.
The Carers’ Centre supports more than 3,000 people locally who are looking after someone because they have a long-term illness, a disability or are frail. Caring is rewarding but can also be very isolating, stressful and have a significant financial impact.
Mogers Drewett private client paralegal Kate Norris said: “We see the extremely positive effects and impact the centre has on our clients and are keen to do what we can to support that.”
The Caring Community Awards aim to recognise people, places and organisations who do an outstanding job of making carers feel valued, recognised and supported.
Among the winners are a Bath care home, GP surgery, friends and neighbours of carers who have all been nominated by the very carers they support. They will be named at the Caring Community Awards on November 30 at King Edwards School.
They will be hosted by BBC TV presenter Ali Vowles for the fourth year running. She said: “To meet so many extraordinary people who care for their loved ones — and make them feel special for the night — is a real privilege. Caring is such a hidden, often overlooked role. They really are unsung heroes.”
BANES Carers’ Centre chief executive David Trumper said the annual event was a great way to recognise the efforts of people and places in the community that are carer-friendly.
“Caring can be tough but sometimes there’s that someone who makes things just a little bit easier. From friends and neighbours going the extra miles, to care workers and GPs being carer-aware, these small things can make a big impact and we want to recognise that,” he said.
BANES Carers’ Centre is an independent carers’ charity and is the leading provider of support, advice and breaks away from caring for the 20,000 people who are carers in Bath and North East Somerset. The centre provides a wide range of free support services to carers throughout the area and actively seeks out carers to access help, support and services. The Carers’ Centre is a network partner of Carers Trust.
Pictured: TV presenter Ali Vowles with young carer Siana Paginton and Carers Centre trustee Barry Hulme at the 2016 awards
