Carer fights for carers' rights to study

How did you come to take issue up?

I wrote to the DWP and told them I was planning to start a university course.  I heard nothing until the week I was due to start my course when they wrote to me to tell me my Carers Allowance was being stopped with immediate effect. I was distraught, as I really rely on that money.  I was also angry that they had left it so late to contact me, and that the letter made no mention of my daughter’s changed circumstances – they didn’t even ask about her care with me being at College, which I assume was the assumption behind the ridiculous rule that I cannot be deemed to study and care at the same time.

I took the DWP to a tribunal and won my case. However they refused to backdate my Carers Allowance and are appealing the decision. 

This started my campaign to get this rule changed. The law actually disables carers because it means you have to stay at home - there is no flexibility at all.  I am totally able to care for Sophie and her care has not changed at all and my degree fits around my caring for Sophie, not the other way round.  The government talks about supporting people to get back to work and have equal opportunities but this goes completely against that.

What have you done to raise awareness amongst the public?

I wrote to my MP, and all the party leaders – including Gordon Brown of course.  He wrote back telling me he had forwarded my letter to the DWP! I also got in touch with the papers.  I had a 15-minute slot on BBC News 24 and East Midlands today also covered it which meant I got tremendous public support.

My local community has also been brilliant.  I’ve lived in the area all my life and when people heard what had happened to us, they were horrified, and would come up to Sophie and I when we were shopping.

I’ve appealed to local community networks, such as the Church, which we’re involved with.  This has given me hundreds of supporters.  I’ve also produced an online petition, which 460 people have signed already. 

I’ve also got in touch with other carers who are campaigning on this issue. 

Alex Robinson, a 19-year old student who cares for his girlfriend Sarah who has Cystic Fibrosis is also fighting this.  He’s started a big campaign online and has generated lots of support using Carers UK's forum, myspace and YouTube – it’s been huge.

What do you plan to do next?

I’m waiting to see what the new National Strategy for Carers has in it. If this is not addressed, we’re going to keep on fighting.  It's such an important principle. I want to get as much support as possible so the Government can’t ignore the issue- that’s why the petition is vital.

I’ve spoken to a lawyer friend about the legal options.  I’m trying to establish whether there’s a loophole in the law we could use.  I also plan to look into whether there’s a human rights angle to this.  

What advice do you have for carer campaigners?

1. Building a network is absolutely essential. Talk to everybody you know and get them to talk to people on your behalf. You never know who they know – e.g. a school governor, journalist, a celebrity etc who can take your cause up.
2. Having a leaflet is really good way of getting publicity. It doesn’t have to be expensive – you can do it on the computer and e-mail it out.  It’s a good way of summarising your campaign issues and letting people know how to support/ contact you.
3. Be a nuisance! Contact your MP – keep asking them to things.  If you hassle them that they can’t ignore you! 

•  Add your signature to Kate’s petition - more....
• BBC article [from News 24] - more....
• Read about Alex’s campaign on Carers UK online forum - more...