Carers Network is joining #GivingTuesdayNow in a global day of giving and unity and responding to urgent COVID19 need.
They have a campaign to improve unpaid carers’ quality of life, so carers feel less isolated and part of a community that listens to them.
Carers Network’s You Help, We Help, They Care campaign will help local unpaid carers break the routine and allow them to enjoy recreational activities. It will provide services tailored to their needs that enable them to engage with the help of modern technology.
#GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of unity and generosity, taking place on Tuesday 5 May 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.
Research by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) who lead #GivingTuesday in the UK has found that many charities are struggling to survive due to COVID-19, with 37% saying they will not be able to last beyond 6 months.
It also found that there are significant levels of generosity, with more than half of people saying they expect to help their neighbours or friends with shopping/errands or check on their vulnerable or elderly neighbours.
To shine a spotlight on this incredible generosity and to support charities at this difficult time, CAF has launched this special #GivingTuesdayNow as a chance for people to show their gratitude to all the people who have supported us through these difficult weeks – their friends, families and wider communities.
Charities of all sizes have been playing their part in this battle, harnessing the goodwill of so many to help meet vital needs which have not gone away in the face of coronavirus. With fundraising events cancelled and many volunteers self-isolating, charities are facing an uphill struggle to continue to be there for those in need.
This #GivingTuesdayNow is, above all else, a day to thank all essential workers – including unpaid carers.
1 in 8 adults in the UK is an unpaid carer and 6,000 people in the UK become a carer every day. Anyone can become a carer – even overnight, and unpaid carers make enormous sacrifices, especially at this challenging time. They often put their own life and wellbeing on hold to support a loved one who is unable to look after themselves.
Carers Network’s campaign will enable them to offer unpaid carers personalised check-in calls to ask them how they are getting on, provide a pack of resources that tells carers where they can get local help, and provide access to virtual group activities.
A local carer looking after their elderly mother and brother was at breaking point when they came to Carers Network. As well as putting a plan in place for their caring role with the help of their caseworker, they attended a wellness workshop about managing anxiety and met other carers at social events. “The workshops and events I attended showed me I was not alone and helped me see the happy side of life and being a carer.” It is vital at this time that carers like these have the opportunity to engage with other carers virtually through online activities and events.
“Unpaid carers spend their lives helping others, but in these times they need our help more than ever.“ Sally Miller, Chief Executive, Carers Network.
The UK’s #GivingTuesdayNow lead, Grainne Mathews, said:
“The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) is proud to lead #GivingTuesdayNow here in the UK and to join wholeheartedly in this celebration of the people who are helping us through such dark days – charities have taken their place in helping to deliver for our communities and we could not be more inspired to support them in all that they do.”
Those interested in joining Carers Network’s #GivingTuesdayNow efforts can visit:
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/you-help-we-help-they-care/
