National Carer’s Week was kicked off in Swindon with the annual ‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ event in Swindon Town Centre and was joined by North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson, as well as South Swindon MP, Sir Robert Buckland.
The walk raises money and awareness for carers in Swindon and related charities. It is the sixth time the event has run with both local MP’s. Starting at the Pilgrim Centre, the route continues through the Town Centre before concluding for entertainment and refreshments for the volunteers.
The MP’s have joined the event since it began in Swindon as part of a national initiative which marks the beginning of Carers Week. 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 throughout the UK. Many people may not realise that they are carers, so the week also aims to help people unaware that they are carers and identify the support they need.
Carers make a huge contribution, working tirelessly to support friends and family members with a disability, mental or physical illness, substance misuse issue, or who need extra help as they grow older. There are 21,000 carers of all ages in the borough of Swindon, saving our economy millions every year.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: “Carers make a huge contribution to our local communities, and their duty and commitment to the people they care for is amazing. As the North Swindon MP I work very closely with the fantastic Swindon Carers Centre and have seen first-hand the vital support they give to carers.”
