Carers survey at Crossroads and Age Scotland

Anyone looking after friends, neighbours or relatives and providing them with vital support and care in their day to day life is invited to take part in the ongoing Carers Survey being run by Orkney Health and Care.

Paper copies of the survey are available at:

• Age Scotland Orkney (in Victoria Street Kirkwall, opposite Sutherland’s pharmacy)
• Crossroads Orkney inside the Kirkwall Travel Centre

Or you can take part online at www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/orkneycarerconference

Feedback will be used to inform the new Carers Strategy, aimed at setting out how support for carers in the county could be improved.

It's thought there are around 3,500 carers in Orkney, providing vital voluntary care to others. Might you or someone you know be an unpaid carer?

Shaun Hourston-Wells from Orkney Health and Care is working on the new Carers Strategy for Orkney: "Carers come in all shapes and sizes – they can be youngsters looking after parents, adults looking after elderly relatives, or a friend or neighbour looking out for someone they know.

"Orkney’s unpaid carers are the absolute backbone of our community, giving so much to ensure other people have a quality of life – and they’re entitled by law to support to help them enjoy life too.

"Caring is a 24/7 job with huge pressures at times - and one that’s of such importance. No-one should feel they have to shoulder it alone."

For help and advice, and information on what support might be available to you to help you in your caring role, pop into Crossroads Care Orkney or give them a shout on (10856) 870 500 or email carers@crossroadsorkney.co.uk