Carers UK campaign round up

Recognition
Carers make a huge contribution to society yet have no real recognition or rights.

What Carers UK has done

• Talking to Trevor Phillips, chair of the new Commission on Human Rights to make sure carers' rights will be addressed.
• Successfully campaigned for a Carer Champion in Wales at top ministerial level.
• Recruited over 700 groups to take part in this year's Carers Rights Day - the largest number ever to take part.

Poverty
Caring comes with a price. Many carers fall into poverty and suffer severe financial hardship as a direct result of caring.

What Carers UK has done

• Launced a major investigation into the impact of caring on carers' finances.
• Lobbied government to recognise that caring is as important as paid work when deciding pension contributions.
• A major press campaign for Carers Rights Day to make sure carers get the benefits they are entitled to.

Ill health
Caring can seriously damage your health and wellbeing - exhaustion, a bad back, stress, worry and depression.

What Carers UK has done

• England and Wales: we have debated with government on the future of social care, which is critical to carers' health.
• Scotland: we have pressed the government for improved practical support for carers through training and breaks.
• Pressed the Chief Medical Officer to make sure future vaccine supplies are sufficient for carers to get the flu jab.

Employment discrimination
Carers wishing to work report that care services do not fit their work hours and employers do not support flexible working.

What Carers UK has done

• Persuaded the government to widen the number of carers who will benefit from new rights to flexible working. Around 2.6 million people will now benefit.
• Started our campaign to tell employees about their new rights and helping employers to introduce flexible working, when it becomes law in April 2007.

Isolation and social exclusion
Carers can all too easily become isolated and miss out on parts of everyday life that others take for granted.

What Carers UK has done

• Carers Scotland promoted Learning for Living - an online training course for carers designed with City and Guilds.
• Launched new online information for carers about learning and training.
• Developed an online community where carers can talk to each other and offer support through the Internet. www.carersuk.org/forums