Comedian to speak at Moray carers' event

A comedian who has been carer to her two daughters is to deliver the keynote speech at an event in Elgin next month.

Nicky Clark will take part in the latest stage in developing an updated strategy for unpaid carers in the Moray area.

The strategy will be taken forward by the new integrated Moray Health and Social Care Partnership which has identified support for carers in its emerging strategic plan.

It will build on the work carried out over the past five years through the current Caring Together In Moray strategy.

Shaping the new strategy began with a questionnaire promoted through the Quarriers care support service and the responses were discussed at a series of focus group events in November.

The feedback from the focus groups will form the basis of the Carry On Caring? event at Elgin Town Hall on Friday, February 12 at which Nicky Clark will give the keynote address.

She has been principal carer for her daughters, both of whom have autism, for the past 20 years and was also carer to her mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, before she died. She has since become a stand-up comedian, drawing much of her material from her experiences as a carer.

Moray Council’s carers’ strategy development officer, Aimee Borzoni, hopes carers will take part in next month’s event and get involved in identifying and shaping the priorities for the future and in the planning and delivery of services.

“We value very highly the essential contribution carers make to Moray,” she said. “We are determined to make sure that carers have the help and support they need to continue in their caring role if they choose to and have a life outside of caring.

“By getting the views of people actually doing the caring we can make sure we respond to what is important to them and what will make a positive difference to them in their role.”

The February 12 event takes place from 9.30am to 3pm with lunch provided. Places can be booked by calling 01343 567153 or e-mailing involvement@moray.gov.uk