Group walks have been taking place across South Hams this week to mark national Carers Week.

Walks were planned across the region with the purpose of highlighting how important it is for carers to remember their own health and wellbeing.

Devon County Council and Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group aim to highlight the importance of carers’ good health and wellbeing. Devon Carers, the organisation commissioned by the two authorities to support carers in the region, organised a number of walks during the week of the 12th to the 18th of June.

On Monday, June 12, Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, a county council cabinet member with responsibility for adult social care, joined a group of carers for a walk in Ivybridge. Carers met at Ivybridge Leisure Centre for a 30 minute walk which was suitable for all abilities. On Wednesday, another group of carers set off from South Brent Old School Centre for a 45 minute walk, followed by refreshments, and similar walks have taken place from Totnes and Modbury this week.

Often, carers, who help to look after a relative or a friend, neglect their own health as they are too busy caring for their person in need. Carers are statistically more likely to have higher levels of ill-health and social isolation in comparison to the rest of the community, and if left, such ill-health can have an impact on the person they’re caring for, as well as the carer.