TO celebrate National Carers Week 2017, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers in Hampshire, were delighted to hold many events in support of our carers, including pamper days, cream teas, boat trips, garden tours and train rides, coffee mornings and information stands.

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges they face and recognise the contribution they make throughout the UK.

Carers in Winchester enjoyed a luxurious pamper day with many treatments and a delicious lunch held at St Peter's Church. Mayor of Winchester, Cllr David McLean, attended to meet and greet the carers and enjoyed talking to the group over lunch. The trust worked in partnership on this event with Bluebird Care, Hampshire’s only CQC rated “Overall Outstanding” home care provider.

Kerry Hearsey, chief executive of the trust, said: “It was a delight to see so many carers attend the carers week events this year to enjoy a bit of 'me' time and some time away from their caring responsibilities. The partnership with Bluebird Care, has enhanced these events and fits so aptly into the theme for this year of “Building Carer Friendly Communities”.

Norman Murphy, owner and director of Bluebird Care, said: "We are delighted to continue our National Carers Week partnership with the PRTCH and thoroughly enjoy spoiling local family carers who always put their loved ones ahead of themselves day in, day out.

“It is so important that family carers get a break, meet new people and get the chance to do something fun and relaxing to forget about their caring duties for a couple of hours. This partnership provides all of this and the positive response we get each year is overwhelming.”