CARER Support Wiltshire are joining hundreds of organisations across the UK in helping to raise awareness for carers as it's Carers Rights Day, taking place on November 21.

Melksham Town Hall will be lighting up red to mark the day and carer support organisations will be available between 3pm-6pm in the town hall’s main room. Carers are invited to come along, enjoy refreshments and find out more about support available to them.

Staff will be on hand from Carer Support Wiltshire, Alzheimer’s Society, health watch and more to offer advice on benefits, mental illness, wellbeing and many of the other issues that carers might need to deal with.

Terrik from Trowbridge has been a carer to his wife who has had mobility issues for three years.

He said: “I didn’t know I was a carer for my wife. It just sort of happened and then I went along to the support group in Trowbridge and realised I was a carer and I was actually entitled to support.

“As a carer I have very little time to myself and anything that helps me or gives me a break is a real help.”

The Carer Support Wiltshire Facebook page will be hosting a live Q and As on the day with various specialist members of staff who will be able to talk about financial issues, finding employment, flexible working, volunteering opportunities and more. People can go to the page now to submit any questions in advance or join in on the day.

Every day 6,000 people in the UK become carers, according to Carers UK, and it’s something that few have been able to plan for. Often at short notice they will need to talk to health and social care providers, negotiate with their employers, deal with the intricacies of the benefits system and consider how to fund future care costs. It can be an overwhelming, bewildering and a stressful time.

Carer Support Wiltshire are able to inform carers of their rights and the help they are eligible to receive. As well as being able to advise through their website, calls or community connector team, the charity also runs regular carer cafes, support groups, pamper sessions and other events throughout the year.

In certain cases they can arrange for respite care and time out for a carer.

They also aim to give carers a voice and are always looking for people willing to share their stories and experiences. These are shared with Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire CCG and other policy making organisations, so carers can really make a difference for themselves and others.

If you are a carer and would like to tell your story, email: volunteer@carersupportwiltshire.co.uk.