Bracknell

A film made by four carers in Bracknell Forest about their trials, struggles and ability to cope with everyday life will be shown during Carers Week to highlight how much hard work goes into caring for a relative or friend.

The documentary called My Life as a Carer has been made in Bracknell Forest over the past month and gives a glimpse into the lives of a parent carer who looks after her disabled child, two young carers who look after their family because their mother has severe physical health difficulties and depression, and an older woman who cares for her husband who suffers from Alzheimer's.

Both emotive and informative, the film will focus on the lives of the Bracknell carers and show just how much hard work they do.

The film premier will be the pinnacle of Carers Week, which will run from June 11 to June 15, and will be shown to a packed audience including the Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest, Cllr Bob Edger, and Council Chief Executive, Timothy Wheadon, at screening at The Grange Hotel on Friday, June 15.

The film is just one part of Carers Week, which has been organised by Bracknell Forest Borough Council and Bracknell Forest Voluntary Action (BFVA), to say thank you to carers for all the hard work they put in and give them a chance to take a break, unwind and speak to other people in similar situations.

It aims to highlight how both adult and young carers in the borough spend hours of their time caring for loved ones even though they still have to carry on leading as normal life as possible, with many still holding down a day job or going to school.

Downside Resource Centre have organised a carers lunch to say thank you to carers who have been looking after someone who uses the Wildridings based centre on Wednesday, June 13. There is also a health and wellbeing day being held at Silwood Park for carers in the North Ascot area on Tuesday, June 12.

To celebrate young Bracknell carers, many of whom have to look after sick or disabled parents and care for their siblings while going to school or college, there will be a display of artwork that they have produced about their experiences in and around the borough during the week

There will also be the chance for anyone who is a carer or who has a caring issue to visit a manned information stand at Sainsburys supermarket in Bagshot Road, where Council staff and staff from BFVA will be available to answer questions, give advice and let carers know where they can get further support. The stand will be open from 10am to 3pm on Monday June 11 and Wednesday June 13.

Information stands with leaflets and contact details will also be available at Bracknell Leisure Centre in Bagshot Road.

Glyn Jones, Assistant Director of Bracknell Community Care, said: "Caring for someone can be a full-time job and there are many people out there caring for a friend or relative that do not know what help and support they are entitled to.

"If you do look after a parent, child, relative or friend who has a physical or mental illness or disability please contact the Council or BFVA or pop along to one of the events running throughout Carers Week for more information on financial and emotional support."

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member for Bracknell Adult Services, Health and Housing, said: "Carers do a brilliant job that is quite often unrewarded or unrecognised. This special week aims to show just how special these people are and will give them the chance to take a well earned break and chat to other people in a similar situation."

Emma Whitbread from BFVA added: " Unpaid carers are vital to our community, without them social and health services would collapse. This week is about recognising that work and looking at all of our services to see how we can support them better."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council