Social events to give Bradford’s selfless legion of almost 50,000 carers a break are being held in the district this week.

Carers’ Connection Bradford, part of Bradford and Airedale Community Health Services, is holding a series of get-togethers to mark Carers’ Week, a national campaign for greater recognition and help for carers.

The service helps people who look after a family member or friend with a long-term illness or disability, helping identify the support they need, while maintaining a life of their own.

Jan Rhodes, carers support co-ordinator, said: “This year Carers’ Week is all about carers’ own health. It’s about saying ‘you’re important’ and giving yourself permission to take time out from caring.

“It’s really important for carers to look after themselves because being a carer can take so much out of them, then their own health suffers and that impacts on the people they look after.

“We’re here to help carers change their routine, give themselves a break and feel more supported.”

The week’s events will give carers a chance to get together socially and speak to support workers.

Tony Feltwell, 58, of Buttershaw, Bradford, describes the role of a carer as a full-time job. He looks after his wheelchair-bound wife, Elizabeth, 57, who has Huntington’s disease, a deteriorating genetic condition affecting the brain. He gave up his welding job at Barrett Steel in Bradford to avoid moving her into a nursing home.

He said: “I have a sitting service that comes in throughout the week so I can do little things myself but you can never relax, especially at night time. I have a baby monitor on next to me.

“Until you are a full-time carer no one knows what it’s like. It can be very stressful and lonely. Even if you’re poorly you have to carry on.”

Another carer – Nazir-Hussain Shaikh, 48, of Barkerend – looks after his wife Shamim, 46, who is wheelchair-bound and lost her speech after a stroke.

He gave up his cleaning job for Northern Rail in Leeds and supports two of their four children who live with them at their terraced home.

He said: “Without help I wouldn’t be able to cope. It’s emotionally draining.”

Initially he struggled financially. He was threatened with repossession of his house three times before he had it re-mortgaged.

Home-care workers visit four times a day.

Events This Week To Help The Carers

Events in Bradford during Carers’ Week:

  • Today: Drop-in at Mayfield Medical Practice, Clayton, 9.30am to 11am, and café gathering at the Range, Girlington, 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
  • Tomorrow: Carers’ support workers drop-in sessions at Westbourne Green Healthcare Centre, 9.30am to 10.30am; Willows Medical Centre, Queensbury, 10am to 11.30am; Saltaire Medical Practice, 8.30am to noon, and Cowgill Surgery, Clayton, 8am to 9.30am.
  • Wednesday: Drop-in at the Great Victoria Hotel, Bradford, 10.30am to 12.30pm.
  • Friday: Information stall at the Kirkgate Shopping Centre, Bradford, all day.
  • For more information call Carers’ Connection on (01274) 323323.