Unpaid carers given boxes of wellbeing treats

News imageBBC Suzie Walters-Jeffries has short blonde hair. She has glasses on which are pink on the sides and small dangling pink earrings. She is wearing a white shirt and is standing next to a poster that is directing unpaid carers towards Devon Carers at Westbank. It says: Have a chat and see how we can help you.BBC
Suzie Walters-Jeffries said the boxes were designed to give carers some respite

Unpaid carers have received gift boxes in recognition of support they provide to other people.

The boxes hold a range of items intended to remind carers to take some time for themselves, including teabags, biscuits and mugs.

Suzie Walters-Jeffries from Devon Carers at Westbank said the project was designed to thank the 35,000 unpaid carers across Devon who look after people with dementia, mental health issues, chronic illness and other health challenges.

The project has been coordinated by Devon Carers at Westbank, the Devon Partnership NHS Trust and mental health charity Open Up.

News imagePictured is a large cardboard box with a packet of Tesco malted milk biscuits, a large mug, a packet of seeds, a journal and tea bags.
The gift boxes have been given to unpaid carers across the county

Walters-Jeffries said: "We wanted the carers to know how grateful the community is for all they do."

The items in the boxes, which included vouchers, hot chocolate, marshmallows, seeds and journals, were funded through a £5,000 grant from Open Up.

She said the items had been chosen after listening to what carers had said would be beneficial for their wellbeing.

"It's just a tiny thing really, just a little selection of what carers have said would make a difference and it is about them," she added.

Walters-Jeffries said she hoped the boxes would offer some respite and could also help start a conversation with carers to find out what support they needed.

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