Join Melksham Carers Festival this Carers Week

Story posted on May 26, 2023

MELKSHAM will be marking Carers Week this year with its own Carers Festival, an event being held on Friday 9th June across several venues with craft activities, screen printing, bouncy castles, refreshments, health checks, information and more. 

Carers Week is a national awareness week held each year, which takes place from 5th to 11th June and aims to shine a light on and show support for the millions of unpaid carers in the UK.

Unpaid carers are people who care for and support friends and family members who may have a disability or illness, enabling them to live life as fully and independently as possible.

A spokesperson for Carer Support Wiltshire, said, “Our social care system is dependent on these carers and the economic value of unpaid care in England and Wales is an estimated £162 billion. Yet many unpaid carers feel unseen and unvalued.

“Melksham will be doing its bit to raise awareness of carers at the festival, which has been organised by Wiltshire Council’s Melksham Area Board, Carer Support Wiltshire and Celebrating Age, and everyone is invited to attend. It is suitable for all ages and activities will include a visit from ‘Grandma and the Lion’ as well as craft activities.

“Local charities and organisations will have stands at the event and free refreshments will be available. Activities will be taking place at Melksham Assembly Hall and in the Market Place between 4.00pm and 7.00pm.”

In addition, Carer Support Wiltshire are holding a ticketed event especially for young carers and parent carers at Melksham Community Campus. There will be a bouncy castle, inflatable disco, snacks and a goodie bag for young carers. Carers can book onto this event by calling 0800 181 4118 or emailing admin@carersupportwiltshire.co.uk.

Melksham Area Board gave £1,200 towards the carer’s festival.