Hundreds of unpaid carers from across Derby came together at the Derby City Carers Event, held at Derby Market Hall, to access advice and information to help them in their caring roles. The event was delivered by Derby City’s unpaid carers alongside our Neighbourhoods team and Derby City Carers.
The event welcomed more than 70 organisations and support services under one roof, making it easier than ever for carers to discover the help available to them. While volunteers recorded more than 400 people attending the event specifically, Derby Market Hall welcomed over 1,900 visitors throughout the day, helping to raise awareness of the wide range of support available for unpaid carers.
The event was powered by an incredible team of 25 volunteers, 20 of whom are carers themselves. Their lived experience helped create a welcoming and understanding environment, ensuring visitors felt listened to throughout the day.
Visitors also benefited from informative presentations delivered by carers sharing their personal experiences, alongside practical guidance from Welfare Rights and Derby Carers Service.
One carer who attended said:
My mum is currently in hospital, and I wanted to find out about next steps. I have been reassured by Adult Social Care and had lots of useful information from numerous stalls. For me it was perfect timing and having all the information in one place."
The event also created opportunities for professionals and voluntary organisations to work more closely together. Stallholders spoke of the value of networking, building new partnerships and ensuring carers were connected with the right services.
Living Well Derbyshire, an organisation that attended the event, said:
It was really encouraging and insightful to hear the stories of the carers that visited. There was a lovely energy across all the stalls. A number of people shared how their mental health had been affected by their caring role and were able to access further support or be signposted to the right services."
Many organisations reported speaking with dozens of carers throughout the day, with one stallholder engaging with more than 100 carers and professionals to raise awareness of available support and encourage carers to register for services.
Councillor Alison Martin, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Care, said:
This event demonstrated the strength of Derby's caring community and the importance of bringing services together in one accessible location. By connecting carers with advice, practical support and one another, the event helped ensure that those who dedicate so much of their lives to caring for others know they are not alone.”
To learn more about what support is available to carers in Derby City, visit our website. More information about support in Derbyshire can be found on the Derbyshire Carers Association website, by emailing info@derbyshirecarers.co.uk or by calling 01332 315777.