As part of national Carers Week (6 – 12 June), Carers in Bedfordshire is launching a campaign to encourage more male carers to sign up for support.
Their Men Care Too campaign aims to reach male carers who might not be aware of the help available to them. The charity is posting leaflets through doors and creating social media adverts to target unpaid male carers.
Carers UK figures reveal 42% of unpaid carers are men, yet Carers in Bedfordshire says that only 27% of carers registered with them are men. This figure reduces to just 8% when it comes to parent carers.
A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a family member or friend who due to illness, a disability, additional needs, a mental health condition, or an addiction, cannot cope without their support, or needs extra help as they grow older.
As part of the campaign, the charity is also hosting a series of special mental health talks for male carers over the next few months, with the first starting on 15 June, during Men’s Health Week.
Chief Executive Officer Chris Stelling said: “We’re running the Men Care Too campaign to encourage men who are in a caring role to register with us, so they know where to turn should they need information or advice to support them in their caring role, or it gets too much.
“Carers Trust research highlights male carers are less likely to seek help if they’re struggling. We hope these events will be an opportunity for male carers to speak to other men in similar situations and hear about the practicalities of caring from a male perspective.”
Chris said that many carers do not see themselves as taking on that role. “They are just doing what they can for a relative, partner, child, parent or friend.
“But if that person couldn’t cope without your support, you are a carer and we encourage you to register with us so you too can be supported, visible and valued.
“If you recognise a man in your life as a carer, please encourage them to register with us. Especially dads, stepdads, granddads or male guardians of a child with additional needs.”
Carers in Bedfordshire is supporting Carers UK’s campaign to call on the Government to outline additional support for carers – including breaks, respite and care services, infection control, identification of carers, financial help, and support to juggle work and care, helping to mitigate the impact caring can have on carers’ own physical and mental health.
You can find out more information about the Men Care Too campaign at the Carers in Bedfordshire website here.
