TO boost awareness of carers’ rights, Essex County Council is launching a fresh campaign, to highlight to unpaid carers, their rights at home and in the workplace. It’s estimated that there are at least 124,000 unpaid carers in Essex, however this number could be far greater.

Unpaid carers look after, help or support someone who wouldn’t be able to manage everyday life without their help and this may be as little as under 10 hours a week or more than 50 hours per week.

The council’s campaign will centre around Carers’ Rights Day (23 November) and aims to raise awareness of carers’ rights, especially to those who don’t identify as carers. 

Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care and ICS Integration, Councillor John Spence said:

“Unpaid carers carry out an invaluable role. Many see it as their responsibility to support their loved ones, friends and neighbours but don’t realise there is information, guidance and support available for them, and laws that protect them. 

“We want to reach out to all unpaid carers. The council understands their role can be very challenging, but carers should never be in a position where their life, dignity or self-respect are put at risk, so it’s vital they know their rights.”

To spread the word about carers’ rights, the council has set-up a touring double decker bus, which will provide an information service. The bus will journey through the county between 22-24 November. The tour will start in Chelmsford and finish in Brentwood and travel through all districts of Essex.

Carers’ Rights Bus Tour

22 November

• County Hall, Chelmsford (9am-10am)
• Tesco Extra, Fullbridge, Maldon (11am-12pm)
• Tesco Extra Highwoods, Colchester (1.30pm-2.30pm)
• Tesco Superstore, Clacton (3.45pm-4.45pm)

23 November

• High Street, Epping (9am-10am)
• Tesco Superstore, Church Langley, Harlow (11am-12pm)
• Chequers Lane Car Park, Great Dunmow (1.30pm-2.30pm)
• Tesco Superstore, Braintree (3.30pm-4.30pm)

24 November

• Morrisons, Canvey Island (9am-10am)
• Morrisons, Rochford (11am-12pm)
• Tesco Extra, Basildon (1.15pm-2.15pm)
• High Street, Brentwood (3.30pm-4.30pm)

Deborah Tranter, lives in Clacton and is an unpaid carer for her father in South Woodham Ferrers. She wants to ensure carers are aware of their rights. She says: “Working full time and being a carer can be challenging, I stay over at my father’s house three nights a week to care for him. It’s very tiring, but my employer is very understanding. They are flexible with working hours; if I have to take time off in the afternoon, I can then make it up in the evening. I can also work remotely. If there’s an emergency, I’m able to go and help.”

She continued: “Carers are entitled to support in the workplace; I hope more employees will understand their rights thanks to this campaign.”   

A new information film has also been launched to inform unpaid carers about their rights. View at www.essex.gov.uk/carers

To find out more how carers are supported in Essex, visit – www.essex.gov.uk/carers.