Carers UK campaign round up

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 been doing

• Delivered thousands of Real Change not Short Change postcards to Gordon Brown.
• Launched new research showing carers lose an average of £11k a year through giving up work.
• Held Carers Rights Day in December to tell carers about their entitlements to benefits and other help.

Employment discrimination
Carers wishing to work are often discriminated against because care services do not fit around their working lives and employers do not support flexible working.

What Carers UK has been doing

• Published in depth research by University of Leeds exploring the lives of working age carers and what they need to support them.

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

What Carers UK has been doing

• Commissioned a book on the history of the carers’ movement to celebrate the contribution of thousands of carers over the past 45 years.
• Held  a National Summit for carers along with member conferences in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – all giving carers a voice to influence the National Strategy for Carers.
• Produced ‘Carers’ Voices’ a report of the many events we held across the UK capturing carers’ views on the changes needed to improve their lives.
• Called for a ‘Social Contract’ where carers can expect support, not just from health and social services but from employers, housing, leisure, transport etc.

Isolation and social exclusion
Caring can be an isolating activity and carers are at risk of missing out on parts of everyday life that others take for granted.

What Carers UK has been doing

• Contributed to the debate around the Single Equalities Bill calling for anti-discrimination legislation to protect carers, the same way disabled people are protected.
• Launched an advice booklet about when caring ends with information about life after caring.