The Sussex Newspaper has been told that a national military charity is celebrating the fantastic work of carers in Brighton & Hove and East and West Sussex this Carers Week (8-14 June) by inviting them to a special afternoon tea at its Brighton centre.
Blind Veterans UK is hosting an afternoon of tea and cake on Tuesday 9 June from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at the charity’s centre in Ovingdean to celebrate carers in the area.
As part of the charity’s support for Carers Week, the special event will also offer a spot of pampering with shoulder and hand massages available. It will also be a great social opportunity for carers to meet others in a similar situation and raise awareness of the services and support available to help carers in their caring role.
Blind Veterans UK provides free, lifelong support to vision impaired ex-Service men and women, their families and carers to help them discover life beyond sight loss. As well as providing training, rehabilitation and equipment to veterans with sight loss, Blind Veterans UK ensures it’s emotional and practical support helps those who care for veterans.
Lesley Garven, manager of Blind Veterans UK’s Brighton centre, says: “Blind Veterans UK recognises the need to support carers and family members of veterans, as well as the veterans themselves.
“Through support both at home and at our centres, we ensure that carers, partners and family members are supported in their roles. Help and advice from our welfare staff, group sessions at the centre so carers can get together and social events are vital in helping carers to cope with demands of caring for a loved one.
“By getting involved with Carers Week, we hope to encourage those carers in Brighton & Hove and East and West Sussex who are currently caring for an ex-Service man and woman with severe vision impairment but are not currently aware of the help available, to seek the charity’s support.”
In support of Blind Veterans UK’s work during Carers Week, actress Barbara Windsor (pictured here) has urged any carers of blind veterans to contact the charity: “I am proud to be supporting Blind Veterans UK and the amazing work they do for carers and families of blind and vision impaired veterans. Many of those who care for veterans may not see themselves as carers but they selflessly give up their time to look after a loved one.
“Blind Veterans UK is there for any veteran now battling severe sight loss and their families to ensure they do not have to battle blindness alone. If you care for a blind veteran, or know of someone who does, call Blind Veterans UK on 0800 389 7979 or visit www.noonealone.org.uk as their support could be life-changing.”
Blind Veterans UK’s No One Alone campaign aims to reach out to the tens of thousands of vision impaired and blind ex-Service personnel and carers who could benefit from the charity’s services but either do not know about the charity or do not know that they are eligible for its lifelong support.
If you would like to attend the event (help with transport may be available) or to find out more about the support Blind Veterans UK provides, call 020 7616 7999 or email noonealone@blindveterans.org.uk.