CARING is no fairytale – that’s the message of a campaign by Crossroads Care aimed at encouraging people to remember carers.
The campaign has seen publicity material, such as posters and flyers, created that are based on familiar fairytales.
These include Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and Snow White – but the material tells alternate versions of the stories with which we are not so familiar.
Caring scenarios common to many have been blended into the traditional stories, showing the characters caring for their loved ones.
It is hoped that the community will get on board with this campaign, which is to run for the next 12 months and has the full support of the Manx Government.
The light-hearted tales have a serious under-lying message, however, that is important to us all. Figures indicate that three in five of us will become a carer at some point, often without warning. And if you’re not a carer, then you may instead need to be cared for.
Crossroads Care offers services to those who sacrifice their freedom to care for loved ones. Currently the charity’s 90 staff and 120 volunteers reach 360 families island-wide.
They send staff to homes to give carers a break. They help young adults with difficulties by finding work placements and its Building Bridges scheme teaches them how to get by independently.
Its Young Carers project operates across the island, providing support and a weekly break for children and teenagers who are classed as carers. Meanawhile, the nursery and holiday schemes give children who are in need of care a positive start.
Around 10,000 people in the Isle of Man provide unpaid support to family, friends or neighbours. Crossroads Care currently provides 50,000 hours of respite and 50,000 hours of ‘meaningful’ care every year to help these carers out.
The growing elderly portion of the population is putting pressure on services, so volunteers are needed to step up soon, says the charity.
Jackie Betteridge, from Crossroads Care, said: ‘Crossroads is 25 years old next year. A campaign to give carers the voice they need has been a long time coming.
‘Carers need to stand up and be counted as they are the backbone of our community here in the Isle of Man.
‘Caring is a very real issue that will affect all of us at some point in our lives so we need to get behind carers and Crossroads Care as the organisation that supports them and the campaign.’
The faiytale message is being promoted island-wide. Crossroads Care shops – found in Prospect Terrace, Windsor Road and Victoria Street, Douglas – will be decorated with eye-catching window displays. People are also asked to look out for minibuses and collection boxes too, all designed to promote the cause.
Open days will run in the hospital and the Strand Shopping Centre in Douglas, plus there will be representatives ready to talk at Mannifest, which is being held at Glen Lough Farm on August 3-5.
Anyone who would like to help promote the campaign is asked to contact Alex Wilson on 673103 or email awilson@crossroadsiom.org
Crossroads is also promoting a video shown on Manx2.com about identifying yourself as a carer.
Plus a cinema night will run in September, on a date to be confirmed, at the Patchwork Cafe in Port St Mary, to once again highlight the issue of caring.
Meanwhile, to help support the charity, why not support its Mini Olympics in Noble’s Park in Douglas on Sunday, August 12, starting at midday? There will be a barbecue, the chance to have your photo taken with the Olympic torch and face painting.
To find out more about the work of Crossroads Care email {mailto:mail@crossroadsiom.org|mail(at)crossroadsiom.org}, visit {http://www.crossroadsiom.org|crossroadsiom.org} or phone 673103.