Carers First celebrates 30th Anniversary with Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal

Published

20/12/21

Celebrating 30 years supporting carers

Carers First, has marked their 30^th anniversary with a celebration event held in Lincoln, attended by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, on Wednesday 15 December.

The event was attended by carers, staff, volunteers, trustees and partners of the charity. Her Royal Highness, President of Carers Trust, was invited to attend the event and help mark the occasion following her support and work with unpaid carers across the UK. The Princess was able to meet and talk with local carers, who are currently being supported by the charity.

Carers First, which was established in 1991 in Tonbridge, Kent, works directly with and for carers to provide personalised information and advice. Making it easier for those caring for someone else to continue living their lives to the fullest. They currently support carers across Lincolnshire, Essex, four London boroughs and parts of Kent and in the last year reached over 90,000 carers through their community and online work.

At the event, Her Royal Highness was invited to view some of the activities that are organised by Carers First to support carers, including a climbing wall activity for young adult carers and an art therapy group.

Alison Taylor, Chief Executive of Carers First, said:

“Carers First is delighted to have hosted a visit by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, who has been a pioneer for recognition and support for carers, over the last 30 years. The pandemic has been particularly difficult for many carers and they really appreciated the time she took to talk with them and to acknowledge the huge role they play.

“At Carers First, we understand that caring can be hard, but believe getting the right help shouldn’t be. Obtaining relevant support can be a challenge, but with it, carers can thrive, which is why a range of accessible information and advice is so vital. For 30 years our charity has been working directly with and for, unpaid carers to deliver a range of support programmes on health, wellbeing, practical help and financial issues – available online, by phone and face-to-face in the local community, enabling us to reach more carers and make a positive, material difference to their lives.”

Peter Davis, Chair of the Trustees at Carers First, said:

“Three in five of us can expect to become a carer in our lifetime. Yet many people do not recognise themselves as carers but as a daughter, son, mother, father, partner or friend, helping someone close to them. This means many people struggle on without being aware of their rights and support available to them as a carer.

“Carers make incredible sacrifices that too often go unnoticed and the recognition of Her Royal Highness means so much to them. We were especially grateful for the visit to mark a significant milestone for the charity.

“Carers First was started by carers who wanted to help others in a similar situation, and today, 30 years later, we have supported tens of thousands of carers in their role, by offering timely advice and working directly with them to identify the best way forward for them as individuals.”

Lincolnshire carer, Hayley Daines, who cares for her son, Charlie, who has autism, was one of the guests who met Her Royal Highness. Hayley said:

“It was a huge privilege to attend Carers First’s 30th Anniversary celebration yesterday. The celebration was thoroughly enjoyable! I felt moved to hear Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal talk so passionately about her involvement within carer charities. I feel honoured to have spoken with the Princess about what being a carer is like for me. The support I have received for Carers First has allowed me to continue 'being me' alongside my caring role. The work they do is fabulous.”