To relieve the elderly, infirm, sick or disabled in Norfolk by the provision of financial and practical support to their carers either individually or through carers groups. The aim of the appeal is to raise £1 million to establish an enduring Charitable Trust, the Norfolk Millennium Trust for Carers, which gives practical and financial support to carers in Norfolk. Research conducted through the Charity Commission indicates that this Trust is unique, nothing being done elsewhere in the country to help carers with direct financial support. We hope that our success may well encourage other counties to emulate us.The Carers with whom we are concerned are the unpaid carers who dedicate much of their own lives to looking after a sick, disabled or elderly partner, friend or relative. They come from all backgrounds and according to recent reports there are an estimated 110,000 (one in seven of the population) in Norfolk. Exact figures are unknown, but it is estimated that there are between 250 and 600 child carers in the county, their role being carried out before and after school. This replicates similar proportionate numbers across Britain. The aim of the charity is to respond to identified needs of carers. It does this by offering a swift, timely and practical response to appeals for financial help. This might be to buy a piece of equipment to help some practical aspects of their caring role – for example a washing machine or other domestic appliance. Or it might be to allow the carer to take an occasional break. A grant can be offered to pay a specialised sitter so that the carer could perhaps undertake an evening class or just have a night off. In this way we hope to improve the quality of life of those who care and those they care for. Careful planning and preparation took place before the launch of the appeal. Working with representatives of all the organisations concerned with people needing care, grant criteria have been developed. Our Trust is complementary and additional to the assistance given by these organisations and its inception had their enthusiastic support. We have taken care not to duplicate the work or obligations of existing statutory bodies (Health and Social Services). The appeal, launched in October 1998 funds the Registered Charity 1071671 Norfolk Millennium Trust for Carers. As the fund develops, the donations are invested and it is the income from those investments, which are administered by the trustees. All money raised is for the benefit of the Appeal. At a time when the numbers of carers is set to grow – largely because of the rise in the elderly population – and when constraints on public spending continue to be felt by many voluntary organisations, this particular way of marking the Millennium is in the very best tradition of putting people first – of helping people to help themselves. The Eastern Daily Press sponsored the appeal as its way of marking the millennium in Norfolk. Other supporters are: Trustees of the Norfolk Millenium Trust for Carers are: |
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