Carers Week 2024 was held from 10th – 16th June with a host of activities and celebrations taking place at Sheffield Mencap to show our appreciation for everything carers do.

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

Activity Learning Hub ran a special programme of Carers Week activities for our members, allowing them to reflect on everything their carer means to them and say thank you. Members of our creative writing group produced unique acrostic poems describing the memories, traditions and special moments they share with their carers. The group chose words including ‘beautiful’ ‘learn’ and ‘protect’ to represent what their carer brings to their life. Our art group designed a beautiful display using floral imagery to thank carers for all the love, joy and support they provide for them.

The display for Carers Week created by the Sheffield Mencap Friday art group.

  • Richard chose ‘Protect’

  • Jane chose ‘happy’

  • Jason chose ‘excellent’

  • Roy chose ‘learn’

  • Sammy chose ‘beautiful’

Our carers team were part of Carers Week events happening around Sheffield, including the Young Carers sponsored ‘Carers Achievement Celebration’, where Sheffield Mencap Trustee Chris Sterry was presented with a well-deserved award for his work with the city’s carer community.

The week ended on a high with a carer celebration event at Norfolk Lodge. Over 25 carers and families came together to enjoy some friendly competition in the big carers quiz, along with food and drinks.

Carers Service Manager Aaron Firth said:

Carers give and give without ever asking for anything in return. Caring for a loved one with a learning disability is a lifelong role with many challenges alongside many rewards, and not to be underestimated. We must support carers and recognise the huge impact they have not only on the individual they care for but also the local community and wider society. Carers Week is an opportunity to thank carers for everything they do.