FOR CARERS Week, Southampton's Revitalise highlight the importance of the nation’s carers as they transition out of pandemic

This week is Carers Week 2021, a week dedicated to raising awareness of the extraordinary efforts and many challenges facing carers every day around the United Kingdom.

I would like to share with your readers the fantastic work carers do looking after the nation’s most vulnerable people.

There were 9.1m family carers in the UK at the start of lockdown, and it is estimated that a further 4.5 million have taken on caring responsibilities since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many are solely responsible for the wellbeing of a loved one who may rely on them completely, sometimes 24/7, without any form of break.

Whilst caring can be a hugely rewarding experience, many carers neglect looking after themselves.

Hilary cares for her son, Shaun, who is brain damaged after an accident in Ibiza when he was 19:

"There’s no let up, no way forward, no support. It’s just…everything. I really need a break, for my mental health. It just feels like hotels and restaurants are opening up, but disabled people are left to the last, at the bottom of the pile.

I’m never, ever, going to give up on my son. Life is too short you know; you need to keep fighting.”

The nation’s carers perform such a vital role in keeping the country running, saving the NHS millions every year and going far beyond the call of duty to provide for some of the country’s most vulnerable people. We owe them a debt of gratitude.

I would like the carers of this country to know that the charity I work for, Revitalise, based in Netley, Southampton, are here to give you a warm welcome at our centre, should you need a break or change of scenery, with 24-hour on-call nurse-led care and discounted rates until the 28th June. So, anyone who feels they could benefit from our support, need only ask.

Devon Prosser

Revitalise