Sainsbury’s supports carers

Other carers groups who held awareness sessions included The Carers Support Service, Age UK, Parkinsons, Crossroads and Home Instead Senior Care.

Every customer had the chance to take away information about the day and it’s hoped more Sainsbury’s customers who care for an ill, frail or disabled family member or friend will now sign up to the support that’s available to them.

The awareness sessions were held during Carers Week, which took place between 9th and 15th June. As part of Sainsbury’s partnership with UK National Charity ‘Carers UK’.

Sainsbury’s partnership with Carers UK began in December 2010. For Carers Week this year, the charity are running ‘Carers Week Quest’, with the aim of reaching out to the thousands of carers missing out on support and services in the UK.

Judith Fitter, Health and Social Care Co-ordinator from The British Red Cross Horsham said: “Carers Week gives us the chance to tell the wider community about our work and it was great to team up with Sainsbury’s Horsham and have the opportunity to speak to many customers throughout the day”.

Sainsbury’s Store Manager Derek Boarer added: “It’s important that we make our customers aware of the great services that are available for carers. We’re proud to be a supporter of Carers Week and we hope the sessions help some of our customers, who are carers to use these services”.

Heléna Herklots, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “Thank you to all those Sainsbury’s stores which were amongst hundreds of organisations across the country running Carers Week events to support the nations’ carers. Many people don’t realise that help may be available if they are caring for an older or disabled loved one and during Carers Week this year we were able to reach out to thousands of carers in the community to guide them to advice, information and support.”

For more details on Carers awareness events near you, visit www.carersweek.org.

Report and picture contributed by Sainsbury’s Horsham.