Havering Council is hosting a week of events to raise awareness about caring and the support services available to carers.

The theme of the week, to be held from Monday June 18, is ‘in sickness and in health’.

Working with health and charity partners, the council’s plans will coincide with the national Big Event for Carers Week on Thursday June.

A series of events and opportunities are organised for the borough and include:

June 18, 10am-2pm: Alzheimer’s Society and Age Concern Havering will be in the Mercury Mall, Romford, offering information and advice to residents.

June 20, 10am-3pm: The Age Concern Havering Dementia Advisory Service will be at Romford Market, South Street end, offering information and advice to residents. June 20, midday: The Havering Association of People with Physical Disabilities will hold a carers social group themed ‘Because You’re Special’. The event will be held at the Jubilee Restaurant, Tring Gardens, Harold Hill.

June 21, 11am-7pm: The Big Event, part of the national campaign, will include refreshments, dancing and a raffle. It will be held at North Street Halls, North Street, Hornchurch.

June 21, 11am-6pm: Age Concern Havering will be providing a blood pressure testing service during the Big Event.

Cabinet member for individuals, Cllr Steven Kelly, said: “Carers are often unsung heroes, providing support to those that are close to them. The work carers do is vitally important, it helps people maintain their independence and can mean they are less dependent upon the health services.

“Havering Council has a carers support service that is able to help carers take some time out and spend some time on themselves.

“Carers Week hopes to raise awareness of the work carers do, and perhaps recruit a few more.”