One of the less known consequences of elections are the rules around the promotion of council funded activities, which makes it harder for us as Councillors to talk about the great things we as a council are funding or supporting. Two such events took place in June right in the middle of the General Election campaign, the Dementia Market Place and Carers Week, and I want to talk about the importance of both, as well as thank all those responsible for organising the associated events.
Suffolk County Council was proud to support this year’s Dementia Marketplace, held at Trinity Park on 13th of June 2024. This is the second annual event, facilitated by Care Development East, aimed at people living with dementia and their carers, to showcase the range of information, advice and support available within Suffolk. This year the event attracted around 200 attendees across the day, with over 50 exhibitors taking part. There were a comprehensive range of marketplace stalls available, including from the Council's Adult Social Care team, who was recently awarded a "Good" rating from the Care Quality Commission, and our award-winning digital care provider, Cassius. There was also a wonderful array of speakers with opportunities for Question-and-Answer sessions – and of course delicious food on offer to keep everyone fuelled throughout the day.
Sadly, the election prevented me from being able to speak at this year’s event, but I was keenly aware last year at the effort organisers go to to create safe and welcoming spaces for those with Dementia, so that their families and carers can take some time to explore the stands and listen to the different speakers, safe in the knowledge that their loved one is safe. Whether it is singing with them, seated dancing or just taking the time to sit and talk with them, the care and compassion shown is brilliant.
Dementia is an important issue for Suffolk, primarily because we have an ageing population in the county, so will likely see more instances of diseases which include dementia as a symptom. This is why we have recently published our fully co-produced Dementia Strategy for Suffolk, which aims to end the stigma associated with the condition and create a county where people with dementia feel safe in the knowledge that responsive services are based on an understanding of their needs and empowered to access information, advice, guidance and support which is readily available whenever they or their families need it.
I know the team have already had lots of positive feedback from people who attended, and I join with them in thanking all who helped to make this a fantastic event.
Carers week, which is a national event, took place between the 10th – 16th June, and 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. This year’s theme was ‘putting carers on the map’, and Carers Week asked people to put their names on the carers map – which can still be done by clicking the red button at the top of their webpage.
One of the most important parts of Carers Week for me is that it helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and in turn access much-needed support. I am often reminded in the Council Chamber of the importance of unpaid and family carers, and rest assured I am in no doubt at all of the contribution they make, so the best thing we can all do is help carers realise that their caring responsibilities come with support, and then help them access that via our online Carers Self-Assessment which is available on Suffolk County Council’s website.
I want to thank Suffolk Family Carers for arranging so many events over carers week, and especially for their help and support in helping us to reach more of our own carers within Suffolk County Council via our Carers Staff Network. To anyone in Suffolk with caring responsibilities, thank you for the work you do and the care and support you provide. I hope you will consider completing an online Carers Self-Assessment to access the support you are entitled too.
