We need to care for the carers
LAST WEEK a number of events took place in Westminster to mark Carers’
Week, an opportunity to recognise the hard work and dedication of the many thousands of people looking after a relative or friend who is ill, frail or disabled.
Unpaid carers are the backbone of care in the community, but it’s not always easy to juggle work and family commitments. Too many carers pay a high price in terms of their own health and in lost earnings when they have to take time off work to look after someone.
Without the contribution of unpaid carers, our health and social services simply wouldn’t cope, but we have to ensure that carers get the support they need to continue to care.
Carers’ Week is organised by a partnership of seven leading charities: Age UK, Carers UK, Dementia UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Parkinson’s UK, and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.
The annual event celebrates the work done by carers in our community but also highlights the solitary nature of the role. Most of us will become carers at some point in our lives. For some of us it will be a temporary role looking after someone who is ill or frail, but for parents of disabled children, their caring role can continue for many years, well into their son or daughter’s adult life. Getting a break is crucial for carers, and even being able to get out of the house for a few hours can be valuable for the quality of family life. Last year the Scottish Government increased funding for respite breaks for carers so that they can continue to care without damaging their own health and well-being.
Locally, various organisations offer help and advice to anyone who is looking after a relative or friend. Not everyone is aware of the services available, and many folk struggle on without support. The organisations behind Carers’ Week are encouraging all of us to be more aware about the challenges carers face, and the support available to them.
FINALLY, big congratulations to the primary 7 pupils of Whitehills and New Deer primary schools who recently won national awards in the EthCo Challenge 2011. Schools across Scotland took part in the competition, and I am very proud that both the prize-winning primary schools are in Banff and Buchan.
The pupils in New Deer undertook a project involving the whole school to raise awareness about the 67 million children around the world, most of them girls, who are missing from primary school.
They made an excellent DVD highlighting the importance of education as a route out of poverty.
The Whitehills pupils set up a Fairtrade Cafe to help everyone understand the causes of global poverty, and how it can be tackled. The pupils involved deserve to be lauded for their success, and I have tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons congratulating them.