Carers Trust Cambridgeshire is looking to reach out to Ely’s band of unpaid carers by offering a host of events to celebrate national Carers Week.

The trust is kicking off its week (June 6-12) - which aims to support carers - on Tuesday June 7 by hosting a free all-day ‘Sharing the Caring’ conference at the C3 Centre in Coldham’s Lane, Cambridge.

Organised by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation Trust, former wife of Professor Stephen Hawking, Dr Jane Hawking, is to deliver a speech on her experiences of caring for her ex-husband, who famously suffers from motor neuron disease.

The winners of the trust’s first ever ‘Pride in our Carers’ awards will be announced, where those who selflessly give up their time to care for their loved ones will be recognised for their work.

Four days later, on Saturday June 11, a stall providing information on the support available for family carers will be held in Ely Market Square, followed by a ‘Laughter Yoga Playshop’ at the Larkfields Resource Centre, High Barns, on Thursday June 16.

Practitioner Simon McKibbin will introduce breathing and meditation techniques, simulated laughter exercises and yoga postures for carers who wish to get involved.

The aim of Carers Week is to spread awareness of the support available to those who provide unpaid care for relatives and loved ones, such as Steve Farrow, who moved to Ely to care for his widowed mother after she suffered from a stroke.

Steve said: “I’m glad I was able to be there for my mum at the end when she needed me. My advice to family carers would be to take what support you can, it’s there if you ask for it. More people need to be aware of the valuable support offered by Carers Trust Cambridgeshire.”

For more information, visit http://www.carerstrustcambridgeshire.org/events/ or to book your place at the ‘Sharing the Caring’ conference, telephone 01733 748386 or go to www.sharingthecaring.eventbrite.co.uk.