There are over 30,000 unpaid family carers in Sandwell looking after people who are sick, elderly or disabled, saving the Government an estimated £87 billion each year.

Every year their contribution is recognised and celebrated during Carers Week which this year runs from 8 June to 14 June 2009.

As part of the week, a Carers Week Conference is organised in Sandwell each year and this years theme is : ‘Carers - Sandwell’s Secret Service’. - in recognition of  the many people caring for loved one’s who have not asked for any help or support from local services.

If you are looking after someone because they are unwell, disabled, frail elderly or have an addiction why not come along to this year’s event and see what help is available?

The conference, organised by the Health and Well Being Unit of Sandwell Council and Sandwell Primary Care Trust in partnership with CARES, the local carers charity, is being held at the Bethel Convention Centre, Kelvin Way, West Bromwich on Thursday, 11 June from 10.00am.

Dr Phillipa Russell, the chairperson of the Department of Health ‘Standing Commission on Carers’ will give the keynote address and local representatives from the Council, health services and charities will also be there.

CARES’ Chief Executive Geoff Foster, said of the event, “We know that there are about 30,000 unpaid family carers in Sandwell, but many people don’t realise they are carers, they think they are just doing what any relative or friend would do. However, we know that caring for someone can take its toll on a persons health and well being and  can often result in carers having no life of their own.  Help and support is available and I hope that this year even more of Sandwell’s family carers will come along and join us to see for themselves what is on offer.”

Any unpaid, family carers interested in attending the conference should contact Jo Moon at Sandwell’s Health and Wellbeing Unit on 0121 612 1450 or Kate Johnson at CARES on 0121 558 7003 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it