It is thought that 10 per cent of the UK’s population are unpaid carers – someone who is looking after a relative or friend who, due to a disability, illness or old age, cannot manage at home without their help. This is a huge number and it is a huge responsibility.

Carers organisations across Cumbria support people across the county from as young as 5 years old. It’s thought that nationally unpaid carers save the UK economy £132 billion a year. They are absolutely vital.

Dani Leslie, Chief Officer at Eden Carers, said: “Every year we urge the people we support to write a Carers’ Emergency Plan. That’s all the information that would be needed if the carer becomes acutely ill / has an accident or has to go into hospital at short notice.

“It is really useful to have all the key information in place and you can contact us to help you with it.

“Or you can chat to the Carer and Cared For You support and write a helpful list of information that can be kept in a place that is easily accessible in an emergency.”

The sort of information that is helpful includes things like:

a full list of medication details of any ongoing treatment they need / allergies

details of their GP and pharmacy

  • any care and support services they receive
  • any continence products needed and who supplies them
  • any mobility challenges and mobility aids such as a wheelchair or hoist
  • anything behavioural that others need to be aware of
  • contact details for anyone they would like to be notified if they have to go into hospital, friends, family or professionals
  • who would look after a pet at short notice.

Eden Carers support about 800 unpaid carers, 170 of which are young carers aged between 5 and 18 years. They are one of five independent charitable, geographically based, carers organisations in Cumbria providing free advice and support to unpaid carers.

They’re really keen for people to take the time to create their own emergency plan – but they are also here to provide carers assessments; benefit application form filling and signposting to other agencies.

To contact any of the five Carers Organisations you can call 08443 843230, or click here to visit Carers Support Cumbria website.