In 1963 Mary Webster burst upon the public with her proposal for helping unmarried women with dependants, sparking the beginning of the carers' movement. Back then the term 'carer' was not in the dictionary and it was largely taken for granted that unmarried children would assume the caring role for an elderly or disabled relative. Over the years, through tireless lobbying and campaigning, the issue was forced on to the public agenda, bringing attention to the isolation and lack of support faced by so many carers.

Published by Carers UK, this book examines three key issues which have played a part in its overall history - young carers, its relationship with the disability movement and the role of carer organisations, before finally taking a look at the impact of devolution.

Carers who had contributed to the success of the carers' movement attended the launch of the book at the House of Lords. Author Tim Cook spoke about the determination of the early pioneers in seeking recognition and better support for carers which still lives on. The movement had been particularly successful in securing the support of key politicians, including Sir Keith Joseph and Sally Oppenheimer who raised funds for the early carers' organisation, the National Council for Single Women and their Elderly Dependants (NCSWED). The movement has seen chance encounters reap rewards such as when founder Mary Webster met Baroness Nancy Sear who went on to champion carers.

Carers UK Vice President the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury spoke of the need to provide support for carers to help people adapt to hard circumstances and prevent isolation. He also highlighted how caring itself can be immensely positive, helping people to grow as human beings.

People who have been involved with Carers UK and its predecessors over the last forty years spoke to Carers UK. Sheila Curran took 10 years before realising she was a carer and went on to become a Trustee and Chair of the Cardiff branch. She said, 'Without Carers UK my life would have been very different. Miss Dobson, now in her 90s, cared for her mother from 1963 to 1983. It took her until the 1970s to find out about any support. Her experiences drove her to set up a branch of the NCSWED in Portsmouth and went on to serve on the national board. She told Carers UK, 'Back in the 60s nobody understood about caring, let alone the term 'carer'. There was simply no support then.' Although many things have changed for the better, she feels there is still a long way to go. 'Carers need to keep pushing. There are hopeful signs - chat shows are no longer reluctant to talk about caring. But too many people not in a caring situation don't realise how much carers save the economy.

Priced at £10, the book can be ordered online here or by calling 0845 241 0963

About the author. Tim Cook worked in the voluntary sector from 1962 until his retirement from the City Parochial Foundation in 1998. He has continued to be activiely involved in the sector chairing several merger committees, mentoring directors of charities and writing on a range of issues. He has always had a deep interest in the histories of voluntary organisations which he strongly believes are too often forgotten.