Hundreds of people logged on or joined events for the first Carers Dorset Festival and some are now available online for unpaid carers to watch.The recordings, which address practical support, provide information and advice, are now live.
The recordings include the keynote speeches at Dorset Museum, by Radio DJ Johnnie Walker and his wife Tiggy, who are patrons of Carers UK. Dame Philippa Russell, the vice president of Carers UK, spoke in an online presentation passionately about her near 60-year experience with care provision and how technology could help more people in the future.
Unpaid carers can be a full-time carer or have a full-time job as well as caring for someone else and the festival organisers were conscious many would not be able to watch the live sessions.
The recordings mean more unpaid carers can now access the information when they have time to watch. The December edition of Caring Matters Magazine will also have a review of the festival showcasing some photographs and stories from the day.
The sessions were also for professionals who work with unpaid carers.
The virtual sessions available to watch were from providers such as CAiD, Help and Kindness and CRISP, and provide information about digital support, assessments, paying for care and technological advances.
Tiggy Walker said of the Festival: “A huge well done for what you achieved. You pulled off something really special and as a result will have helped many. Glad we could help in a small way.”
Cllr Peter Wharf, portfolio holder for adult social care and health, was among the estimated 300 people who logged on or attended the face-to-face events, and said: “Listening to Dame Philippa, and others who shared their personal stories, was just inspirational.
“She spoke so eloquently about her journey as the mother of a son who has needed care, during less enlightened times in the 60s and 70s to today where the developments in technology facilitate independent living.
“There were a number of informative virtual sessions on the day. If you were unable to attend, we are sharing the recordings so there is now no reason to miss out on the information.”
Since the Carers Dorset Festival on 25 November, which was also national Carer’s Rights Day, the following comments have been received from council colleagues and unpaid carers.
“Despite being a long-standing member of this team, everything has been so useful and am excited to share with the rest of the team.”
“One of my team that was based at the museum absolutely loved hearing the talk and it hugely resonated with her as she is a carer, thank you so much for that.”
“Dame Phillipa’s words were amazing, perceptive and informative- incredible lady all round”.
The festival was made possible by the sponsorship between Dorset and BCP councils, Dorset Museum, Carer Support Dorset, The Leonardo Trust and MYTIME.
As part of the festival there was also a fun day for young people. MYTIME Young Carers invited 30 young carers from Burton C of E Primary School, Christchurch, The Blandford School, Blandford Forum, and St Aldhelm’s Academy, Poole, to attend a day full of fun at Adventure Pirates in Lychett Minster. The young carers participated in a range of activities including axe throwing, archery and nerf gun battles.
Some of the recordings can be found here. Or alternatively, a new Resources page with photos, more recordings and useful resources can be accessed here.
