Lewisham's service for unpaid carers, IMAGO, hosted a Carers Rights day Event on Thursday 21st November 2024. Its aim was to raise awareness of the role and rights of unpaid carers, an opportunity to illustrate how Lewisham as a council are prioritizing the needs of unpaid carers. The event was attended by many unpaid carers and their cared for, as well as local Lewisham councilors showing their support and endorsing Lewishams, “Unpaid Carers Welcome Pack”. This contained a guide to services and support available in the borough in one central place. The Mayor of Lewisham Brenda Dacres attended to show her support too!
Kattys Territory Empower and support CIC were invited to attend the day. We managed our information stall, as well as a presentation to carers about our journey and our ambition and work within Lewisham. The presentation was well received with many carers resonating with the challenges faced in embracing your ‘normal’ and the challenges of finding time for yourselves. As well as the Katrina talking about how important carers are and how she manages her challenging illness. The day led to Kattys Territory being invited to several community groups and future work within the council to promote the role of carers and the voice of young people with long term illnesses and disabilities.
(As unpaid carers we also took part in some of the activities, one activity resulted in some wonderful balloon creations.)