AN EVENT in Oxford aimed at carers across the county will discuss key issues facing those in a caring role in 2016.

Carers Oxfordshire will hold its fourth annual Caring Matters Conference on Friday, National Carers Rights Day, at The Kassam Stadium.

The conference will be chaired by the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire Sarah Taylor and will deliver seminars covering a wide range of topics related to caring.

Interim head of services for Carers Oxfordshire Kay Francis said one of the aims of event was to reach the thousands of Oxfordshire carers to inform them of their rights.

She said: “One of the biggest problems we have is identifying carers and getting them to think of themselves as carers – and it often takes a long time for that to happen.

“So the events are there to raise that awareness, reaching as many carers as possible and letting them know what their rights are.

“We know there are a lot of people out there caring for others who don’t know where to turn to get that advice and support.”

The annual conference offers carers and professionals – including council and health leaders – essential information and advice around caring.

Guest speakers include former chair of the government’s standing commission on carers, Dame Philippa Russell, and head of patient experience at Oxford University Hospitals Trust, Caroline Heason.

Expert seminars will cover a range of issues including welfare benefits advice, mindfulness, assistive technology, reflexology and singing for health. A portion of the seminars will focus on the wellbeing of the carers, who often neglect their own health while caring for others.

There will also be an information fair where carers can find out more about the services available to help them maintain and manage their caring role.

Carers Oxfordshire is a free service that offers information, advice and support to a significant percentage of the 61,131 unpaid adult carers of adults in Oxfordshire. It is a partnership between Action for Carers Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire County Council.

Each year, charity Carers UK holds Carers Rights Day to bring organisations across the country together to help carers in their local community know their rights and find out how to get the help and support to which they are entitled. This year’s theme is ‘Missing Out? Know your rights as a carer’.

The event will run from 9am to 4pm.

To book visit carersoxfordshire.org.uk or call 01235 520463.