New European movement for carers

The President is to be Baroness Pitkeathley OBE, who has spearheaded the cause of carers so successfully in the UK, in Europe and across the world. With every one of the 27 European Union member states facing at least a doubling of the population over the age of 80 in the coming decades, all EU states will have a large and growing group of adults who will need to be cared for in older age.

Eurocarers is to be a lobbying and campaigning platform to give a voice to the estimated 100 million carers living within the EU who provide unpaid care to a partner, relative or friend in need of help because they are ill, frail or disabled. They need greater rights and recognition. They need practical, financial and emotional support.

The new organisation – Eurocarers – currently comprises representatives of 15 organisations and research bodies from nine countries – Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden and the UK.  Members have come together to influence policy within the European Institutions to ensure that the invaluable contribution of carers is recognised across Europe.

Demographic projections to 2050 show, for example, that in Cyprus and Ireland the number of people over 80 years will quadruple, and even in countries where the total population is expected to fall significantly, countries such as Poland will have an increase in its 80+ population of 226 per cent.

Baroness Pitkeathley, the President of Eurocarers, says:
“This presents both a wonderful opportunity and a new challenge to ensure that we learn from the experiences of each other and give carers a voice at the European level.  Having worked with Carers UK over the years, I’ve seen enormous changes for carers in the UK, but we also know from countless research programmes that there is still much more to do. It is vital, too, that in an enlarging Union we help carers in the new member states make their voice heard.”

Tuesday 12 June 2007 also sees the launch of a European Parliament Interest Group on Carers made up of MEPs from all parties, which will be closely linked to the work of Eurocarers.

Marian Harkin MEP, who has supported the Interest Group on Carers in the European Parliament, says:
“I am delighted to be involved with the Interest Group in the European Parliament. The Interest Group will enable us to bring the issue of caring onto the European agenda and it is crucial in ensuring the recognition of, and reward for, their work. They are the largest single workforce in Europe and they are the glue that holds society together.”

Carers UK, which has played a leading role in this European movement for carers, will provide the secretariat for Eurocarers. 

Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK, says:
“The launch today of Eurocarers is another landmark in our campaign to secure a better deal for carers.  We are really looking forward to working with our new partners to make the case for carers at the European level. The stark demographic reality is our cue to develop sound policies and services for the growing numbers of carers. We look forward to pushing ahead with a shared agenda to improve the lives of carers across Europe.”

- ends -

Further information
Tom Hoyle
T. 020 7592 1984
M. 07764 479 389
tom@thirdsectorpr.co.uk 

Notes to editors 

1.            Demographic facts and figures compiled by the University of Leeds, May 2007, are available on the numbers above

2.            Baroness Pitkeathley is available for interview.  Spokespeople from member countries are available.

3.            Baroness Pitkeathley OBE

Jill Pitkeathley has spent a distinguished career in the public and voluntary sectors after her original training as a social worker.  She first joined the carers’ movement in 1986, creating the (then) Carers National Association - now Carers UK - and becoming its first Chief Executive.  She was raised to the peerage as Baroness Pitkeathley of Caversham in the Royal County of Berkshire in the first list of the Labour Government in 1997. She is Deputy Speaker in the House of Lords and Deputy Chair of Committees.  From 1998-2004 she was Chair of the New Opportunities Fund.  She is currently Chair of the Children and Families Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) and Future Builders Advisory Panel.
 

4.         The full list of founder members is:

Belgium

- Faculteit Politieke en Sociale Wetenschappen, Universiteit Antwerpen (Faculty of Political & Social Sciences, University of Antwerp)

Finland

- Omaishoitajat ja Läheiset -Liitto ry (Association of Care Giving Relatives and Friends in Finland)         

- Finnish Network For Organisations Supporting Family Caring

France

- Association française des aidants familiaux (French Association for family carers)

Germany

- Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (Institute for Medical Sociology, University of Hamburg)

Greece

- Athens Association for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders

Ireland

-Caring For Carers Ireland

Netherlands

- Landelijke Vereniging voor Mantelzorgers en Vrijwilligerszorg (National association for carers and volunteer help)

- Vilans, Kennis die Werkt in Zorg (Knowledge that works for care)

- MOVISIE (Netherlands centre for social development.)

Sweden

- Anhörigas Riksförbund (Carers Sweden)

United Kingdom

- Carers UK

- CIRCLE (Centre for International Research on Care, Labour and Equalities), University of Leeds

- The Princess Royal Trust for Carers

- Social Policy Research Unit, University of York

Denmark

-Myra Lewinter, University of Copenhagen
 

5.         Marian Harkin MEP represents the North and West Constituency of Ireland in the European Parliament.  She is a member of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) in the European Parliament.  She is a member of the Committee on Regional Development and a Substitute Member of the Employment & Social Affairs Committee.
 

6.         About Carers UK

Carers UK is the leading campaigning, policy and information organisation of and for carers. Carers UK continues to make a difference to carers' lives by: campaigning for a better deal for carers; informing carers of their rights and what help is available; training and advising professionals who work with carers; working across the UK through its membership and networks of branches and affiliates. For more information, visit www.carersuk.org or for advice on your caring situation call CarersLine on T. 0808 808 7777.  Visit www.carersuk.org
 

7.         This work has been funded as part of the Action for Carers and Employment project (ACE). ACE National is a development partnership led by Carers UK and funded by the European Social Fund’s Equal programme which raises awareness of the barriers facing carers who wish to work, and tests and promotes ways of supporting them. Visit www.acecarers.org.uk
 

8.         The European Year of Equal Opportunities for All in 2007 will seek to make people in the EU more aware of their rights to enjoy equal treatment and a life free of discrimination. The European Year is the centrepiece of a framework strategy designed to ensure that discrimination is effectively tackled, diversity is celebrated and equal opportunities for all are promoted. Carers give so much to society, yet their reward is often poor health, financial hardship and social exclusion.