Carers in Slough and the surrounding area are set to get more support this Carers Week.

Slough Borough Council (SBC) is working alongside Slough Carers Support to improve the lives of carers living in the borough.

The theme for the week, from June 10-16, is ‘Getting carers connected in their communities’.

A packed timetable will run during the week, with an umber of events, workshops and a cycle ride.

National charity Carers UK estimates 6.5 million people living in the UK today are carers – or one in eight adults who are caring, unpaid, for family or friends. Of these, around 12,000 live in Slough alone.

Dr Jim O’Donnell, locality lead Slough, East Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Carers are often so focused on the person they care for they forget to look after themselves, to recognise they are carers, or to realise the help and support that is available to them locally.

“Individuals to whom we owe so much end up going without the help we can provide.”

Cllr Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Providing care for another person can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

“But there can also be times when people who care find themselves struggling.

“We value our carers in Slough and thank them for the amazing work they do.

“The council will continue to do everything we can to support them to look after their own health and wellbeing.”

“We’ve put this offer together with our carers so there’s something here for everyone to use or take part in.“We’re always open to new ideas and will continue to evolve this programme as we continue listening to the needs of our carers in the community.”

Extra support has also launched in Berkshire this month as East Berkshire and Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), together with Signal4Carers, launch a Berkshire wide freephone number, to support those who may be looking after someone.

SBC says safeguarding adult reviews across Berkshire have identified a need for more proactive awareness to support those people who may be looking after someone. If you are looking after someone, call 0800 1337851 where you will be offered support and information from 10am until 4pm – Monday to Friday. A messaging facility is available for evenings and weekends.