CARER Support Wiltshire is asking people to ‘bake’ a difference for Carers’ Week and raise money to help the county’s thousands of unpaid carers.

The team at Carer Support Wiltshire’s Semington headquarters has risen to the challenge and whipped up some tasty treats to herald the national awareness week, which runs from June 11 to 17. They are asking the people of Wiltshire to help out during that week by running their own bake sales.

The Carers Week theme this year is helping carers to stay healthy and connected, which ties in with Carer Support Wiltshire’s £25,000 Community Connections Appeal. This aims to help stamp out feelings of loneliness and isolation by providing breaks for carers and putting them back in touch with their communities. So far, the appeal has raised nearly £13,000.

“Too many carers feel lonely and isolated from their communities, and also put their health needs at the bottom of the list,” said Catharine Hurford, chief executive of Carer Support Wiltshire. “Our appeal will help them to connect or reconnect with their communities, by providing activities, short breaks and new links.

“We are asking people to bake and sell cakes to raise money for our appeal, which we believe will do so much to help the carers in our communities. It’s also a great excuse to spend some fun time with family and friends or get your colleagues at work to get involved. We would also like to say thank you to the many people, business and organisations who have already got behind the appeal and are helping to fundraise.”

Bake sales during Carers’ Week could be anything from a coffee morning in a local community venue, a Friday fundraiser at work or simply inviting a few friends over for tea and cake, and asking for a donation.

A spokesman for Carers’ Weeks, which is supported by organisations including Carers Trust, Carers UK and Age UK, said: “This Carers’ Week we are looking at all the ways we can support carers to stay healthy and connected. Building communities which support carers to look after their loved ones well, while recognising that they are individuals with health and wellbeing needs of their own.”

To find out more about the appeal and how to help, contact Carer Support Wiltshire’s fundraising team via email to fundraising@carersupportwiltshire.co.uk or by calling 01380 871690. Carer Support Wiltshire’s website has a dedicated Community Connections Appeal page: https://carersinwiltshire.co.uk/i-want-to-help/