Carers’ Week: Support for those who care (8–14 June)

Are you a carer? Vegetarian for Life Roving Chef Alex celebrates carers and shares how cookery sessions, recipes and practical resources can benefit those caring for others.

The UK has an estimated 5.8 million unpaid carers. Sometimes care will be for a brief period, while that person recovers and becomes independent again. Other times it can be progressive with more care needed as time goes by. Many of these are family members looking after a loved one.

However, being a carer can be stressful and have a significant impact on the carer’s life. VfL has a range of resources to help you while you are helping others.

As a carer it is important not only to look after the person you care for, but also yourself. Juggling job, family and caring can take its toll. Often without financial and physical support, the cost and emotional stress of caring can easily lead to burnout. It's important to get ahead of this before things build up.

Caring for the carers

VfL has a range of resources for both professional and non-paid carers. Although these resources are aimed at supporting vegans and vegetarians, many have broader applications in respect of individual life choices.

As a vegan or vegetarian needing care, diet is of crucial importance. Many people choose to become veg*n for deep philosophical or ethical reasons. Respecting those decisions as a carer is fundamental to the care of that person.

And as a cared-for person, knowing your dietary choices are being respected will go a long way to making your life more comfortable. Our resources include menu planners, communication tools, recipes and posters to put in your kitchen.

If you are a carer, or think you may be in the near future, I recommend you contact Carers UK. Many of their resources are free, and you will also be able to meet other carers in similar situations. There are local carers' groups across the UK.

VfL cookery for carers

I have recently been working with Trafford Carers, for whom I delivered a series of hands-on cookery sessions. Carers made a range of dishes that were easy to make, tasty, healthy and budget friendly. These classes were so popular the carers asked if I could run more. We arranged these sessions to fall during Carers' Week, commencing on 8 June.

I am also a regular guest for St Helens Carers, again giving cookery demonstrations.

If you would like to book a cookery demonstration, please get in touch. All we need is a room, power and access to water. Cooking together, whether as a class or demonstration is a great way to relax and to learn new skills. It can even reinvigorate your interest in cooking.

We roving chefs around the country – they're not only great chefs but also great communicators, and encourage questions and audience participation.

For more information, please contact info@vegetarianforlife.org.uk or give us a call on 0161 257 0887.