Campaigning for mental health carers

Ray Churchill, from Haringey in North London, cares for his wife, son and daughter who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia. 

After his wife's diagnosis he tried to combine his caring with his job as a manager of a local building firm, but her illness got worse and he became her full-time carer.  He describes how isolated he felt: "Schizophrenia is a very frightening illness that people don't understand. We saw less and less of our friends."  He found support in the shape of the Haringey Mental Health Carers Support Association- "a lifeline to carers" and is now their Chair.  The group has around 250 members and provides vital support to carers such as carers' breaks, fortnightly support groups and advocacy. 

Campaigning for change

Ray found himself gradually being pulled into campaigning in order to get change - he has written numerous letters to local MPs David Lammy and Lynne Feartherstone and councillors, and even Gordon Brown.

He has battled the system to get recognition for carers nationally and locally, and spent years highlighting how unfair and inadequate carers' benefits are. "The Carers Allowance amounts to £48 per week to look after someone 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. It's disgusting, shameful really. "

Locally Ray has been an active campaigner and has played a major part in campaigns to oppose NHS cuts, and highlight security in the Mental Health Unit of the local hospital, where illegal drug use has been a concern.  Earlier this year, Ray was nominated as Haringey's Carers of the Year, an award which celebrates the work and qualities of carers.

Locally, Ray is currently fighting to keep Haringey Mental Health Carers Support Association going. The organisation, like many others, depends on Council funding and the Carers' Grant to survive and has no guaranteed funding beyond 2008.  Ray says its already stretched - "Our advocacy service is currently unfunded. If we lose these services it will be a great loss to carers."

"Don't give up"

Ray’s advice to carers thinking of getting involved and campaigning is: “don’t give up. When I started there was very little support for carers, in terms of community care.  Now its different, so look around. There is tremendous local support available from local groups.  Nationally, I’ve found big campaigning organisations like Carers UK have provided incredible help, so its well worth joining.  The best thing I ever did was get involved locally, and then later nationally.  Its given me a purpose.”

My advice to Gordon Brown...

Ray's advice to Gordon Brown is to "exempt Carers Allowance from tax - this would be very reasonable, especially considering that carers' incomes are well below the mimimum wage." Ray calculates that he personally saves the Government £3000 a week. “That’s a huge contribution to society. Carers have a right to have a voice.  We need carers to voice their opinions, otherwise nothing will get done.”

For more information about the Haringey Mental Health Carers Support Association and/or to contact Ray telephone 020 8885 2006 / email mhcarerssupport@aol.com

Carers UK has recently re-calculated the contribution that carers make to society as £87billion. You can read a copy of the report here