The “Cornflower for carers” campaign enters another year

Our Czech Republic member Alfa Human Service celebrates those who care 24/7.

On the occasion of the International Day of Families, celebrated on 15 May, the Czech NGO Alfa Human Service launched the latest edition of its “CORNFLOWER FOR CARERS” (Chrpa pečujícím) campaign. Its long-term goal is to highlight the significance and value of the work done by those who care for their loved ones at home – often continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The campaign was established in 2019 and, over its seven years of existence, has become a symbol of support and recognition for informal carers across the Czech Republic. The symbol of the campaign is the cornflower – a flower expressing strength, fragility, perseverance, and hope.

“Carers are often invisible to society, yet their work enables thousands of people to stay at home with their loved ones. The cornflower is a thank you for daily care that does not end after working hours but continues constantly,” says Martina Chmelová, chief methodologist and psychotherapist at Alfa Human Service.

A Call to Action for Everyone
Look around you and take photos of cornflowers! People can send their photos until the end of August directly via email to info@alfabet.cz or share them on social media (Facebook, Instagram) by tagging @Alfa Human Service.
As a tradition, a collage of all this year’s cornflowers will be created to mark Carers’ Day on 2 October. Alfa Human Service will dedicate this collage virtually to all long-term carers as a symbolic thank you for their invisible work.
Much Has Changed in Seven Years: The Voice of Informal Care Grows Louder
Since the campaign’s first edition in 2019, the topic of informal care has evolved significantly. Today, the needs of carers are discussed much more frequently, not only among experts but also in the public sphere and at the political level.

Progress is being made in opening key discussions around:

• Legislative anchoring and the legal definition of informal carers;
• Better integration of health and social data and services;
• Support for carers in balancing caregiving and employment;
• Availability of respite care, psychological support, and counselling;
• Recognition of the economic and social value of informal care.

Indeed, informal carers often provide care at the intersection of healthcare and social services – ranging from routine household support to demanding tasks related to their loved ones’ medical condition. Without their daily work, the care system would not be sustainable in the long term.

Facts About Informal Care in the Czech Republic

• More than 1 million people provide long-term care for their loved ones in the Czech Republic.
• Most of the care is provided by family members.
• Many carers combine caregiving with employment, often at the expense of their own health and social life.
• Informal care represents a significant economic value and fundamentally relieves the pressure on both the healthcare and social welfare systems.
• Despite this, the work of carers still often remains invisible and undervalued.

Written by:
Alfa Human Service
Na Vrcholu 25/2595
130 00 Praha 3
IČ: 70863059
info@alfabet.cz
www.alfahs.cz
www.alfabet.cz
tel.: (+420) 722 913 207
Media Contact: Alfa Human Service, z.s.
Petra Adámková: +420 607 216 236 | petra.adamkova@alfabet.cz
Websites: www.alfahs.cz | www.alfabet.cz

About Alfa Human Service: Alfa Human Service is a non-profit organization founded in 2000, dedicated to supporting informal carers and raising awareness of their vital role in society. Through psychotherapy, counseling, and consultations, it provides support and assistance to those caring for their loved ones at home. The organization also operates “Alfabet”, an information portal for carers. www.alfabet.cz