Meet Anne, a carer campaigning for change in Durham

What kind of local groups are you involved with?

I currently chair the Derwentside Carers Centre.  I have previously been a  Trustee of  the local Service User Carer Forum.  I am also involved with the local Partnership Board for Learning Disabilities, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults board, and a Steering group for the local Disability Equality Scheme.

How did you get involved in campaigning?

When my marriage broke down and I could no longer work because of my caring commitments I found it was getting difficult to go out of the house. I joined Derwentside Carers Centre, initially just to talk, and like a snowball going down a hill it took off.

I got involved in  a local forum for service users and carers. Before social care and health closed us down, the Forum was a very good campaigning body, and we did contribute to quite a few policies and procedures for the whole of Co Durham.

How do carers have a voice locally?

I really don’t know if carers are listened to - either the Government or the county council keep changing the goal posts, however  things do change when legislation is in place.

I think you can influence local services within their constraints. For carers, there have been some good changes but only if you know about them, other carers are still struggling because they haven’t got the information.

What advice would you give to other carers thinking about getting involved?

I’d advise all carers to join local groups or forums.  Not only does it give you information and confidence to speak out, but it enables you to go as far as you feel comfortable, for example, I recently achieved a merit in both the associate and fellowship diplomas for The Paralegal Practice for the Voluntary and Community Sectors, where I met some lovely people.