The Carents Room – which receives funding from Northern Gas Networks (NGN) – is celebrating the first ever ‘Carents Day’ to recognise and support the millions of adults in the UK caring for elderly parents.
Alongside fellow gas distribution network Cadent, Northern Gas Networks – which delivers gas to 2.9 million homes and business across the North of England – started supporting The Carents Room charity in 2023 with £1.1m of funding from its Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA).
Carents – a combination of ‘carer’ and ‘parent’ – describes people caring for frail and vulnerable older family members. It’s estimated that 57% of all carers in the UK – around 4 million people – are in this category. These carers face daily emotional, physical and financial pressures and can often feel invisible, isolated and unsupported.
The funding has been used to build, operate and promote the interactive website for carents to use to access instant online support anywhere in the UK.
Last winter, the funding also helped promote the organisation on two million prescription bags in pharmacies nationwide, featuring information about The Carents Room’s services and a QR code for carents to scan for instant information about help and resources available. This includes advice on signing up for the Priority Service Register (PSR), which provides access to additional help for vulnerable households if they experience an unexpected interruption in their gas supply, and tips on protecting themselves and family members against the dangers of Carbon Monoxide (CO).
Carents Day on 9 October will provide carents the chance to pause, connect with others in the same situation and learn how best to manage this difficult life stage while protecting their own physical and mental wellbeing.
The Carents Room was launched in 2020 by Dr Jackie Gray, a GP based in Tyneside – which is in Northern Gas Networks’ region.
She said: “Northern Gas Networks are outstanding partners, and we’re deeply grateful for their support. They have played a pivotal role in helping us expand our reach to carers across the region and beyond.
“Their unwavering commitment to supporting customers in vulnerable situations shines through in everything they do. They truly understand the challenges carents and older adults face, and are dedicated to making life easier for both.
“We’re living longer lives and the health service hasn’t adjusted to the needs of the very elderly. From my work as a GP and seeing the challenges of elderly people living with frailty, these people and family members that care for them are often invisible and underserved. At Carents we are bridging that gap.”
Eileen Brown, Customer Experience Director at Northern Gas Networks, said: “Carents are truly the unsung heroes of our communities, providing essential support to those in need. By investing in the wellbeing of carers, we not only enhance their quality of life but also strengthen the support available for their loved ones.
“We’re extremely proud to support The Carents Room as it’s a very special organisation close to the hearts of many of our colleagues, and we will be taking time on 9 October to recognise the amazing carents in our region.”
Events planned on the day include free, online sessions for carents focusing on promoting their mental and physical wellbeing – find out more here. The sessions will be recorded and made available to watch after 9 October.
One of Northern Gas Networks’ successful colleague communities is the Parents and Carers community. This was set up in 2021 and explores how parents and carers can be better supported within the workplace. The community aims to understand the unique needs of parents and carers, and advocate for initiatives that promote a more inclusive and supportive working environment.
Find out more about The Carents Room