The Business Card Challenge on BBC Radio Suffolk
Help BBC Radio Suffolk raise money for a Suffolk Family Carers mobile carers centre.
Mark Murphy , Morning show presenter says, "How do you fancy an executive box in the Cobbold stand at Portman Road for the Ipswich Town game against Wigan Athletic on Saturday March 15th?
It's for 8 people, you'll get sandwiches, tea, coffee and a signed shirt! It's the perfect way to entertain staff or clients.Maybe you have a special event coming up and you'd like it for your friends? Or how do you fancy a nice romantic meal and stay at the Salthouse Harbour Hotel on the Ipswich waterfront? It's a four star luxury boutique hotel owned by Gough hotels. Both are up for grabs in our Big Business card challenge.
To help us raise money for our Suffolk family carers 8 days a week appeal and to stand a chance of winning….we need your business card with a minimum of a fiver stuck to the back. The closing date is 1 March 2014. Send your Biz cards with a fiver or a cheque for Suffolk Carers Ltd stuck to the back to: Mark Murphy, BBC Radio Suffolk, Broadcasting House, St Matthews St, Ipswich IP1 3EP".
Mark has said that every business taking part will be mentioned and thanked on his show.
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What We Are Raising Money For
A bespoke Mobile Family Carers Centre costing £525,000 which pays for the vehicle and the running costs for the first two years. The exact specification will be revealed in the New Year but it's likely the vehicle will have pop out sides so that information can be available to families, there will be a quiet area where one to one sessions can take place, a small meeting area with usual facilities for making coffee etc, disabled access so that if the Family Carers would like to bring the person they care for that will be fine. This area can also be used for group sessions and some training. The SFC team will work with other professionals so that they can do health checks as many family carers ignore their own health and other services.
Family Carers will receive information advice and support, training on a variety of topics, they can explore respite opportunities, meet other family carers, the vehicle will be able to go to events, schools and colleges to identify those families that are not getting any help at all, young carers and young adult carers. It will also enable young carers and young adult carers to meet together as they are often isolated in their role and have few friends so encouraging peer support is key in a safe environment.
Other key messages:-
· 98,000 people in Suffolk Care for someone with an illness or disability this could be for 2 hours a day to 24 hours a day or 8 days a week
· Family Carers ignore their own health and wellbeing – many become ill whilst caring
· 40% of family carers are now men which is a change from a few years ago
· Many young people caring miss out on school, college and other life opportunities
· Many family carers have long term conditions themselves
· 1 in 8 people in paid employment also care for someone at home
· 1 in 5 family carers give up work to care
· 11% of Family carers very rarely take breaks or holidays as they have no one to help them
· 42% have never taken a break
· 80% say that caring has damaged their health