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CARERS WEEK IS BETWEEN 8 and 14 JUNE
Six million people provide unpaid care to someone they know. During Carers Week 2009, this group of unsung heroes will be able to speak out.
Axiom Housing Association is highlighting the extraordinary work that our unpaid carers provide to their family and loved ones. Through this internet news release, we hope to highlight the fantastic amount of work that is given free by millions of people across the United Kingdom.
HARD FACTS
Out of the 6 millions carers across the UK, 520,209 are based in the East of England as well as another 435,741 across the East Midlands.
3 million of these 6 million carers have to juggle work with caring responsibilities for disabled, ill or frail family and/or friends as well as their own family.
Every year 2 million more people take on new caring responsibilities
58% of carers are women and 42% men
1.5 million are over the age of 60
Alan Lewin, Axiom Chief Executive, said:
"By highlighting Carers Week we hope to be able to make a difference to people's lives and give carers an awareness of what support and guidance is available to them to help to cope with the weight and extra energy they need to be able to care for those they love".
"These people deserve somewhere to air their views and have their voice heard; amazingly they save the economy an incredible £87 billion each year".
Despite the fact that 3 in 5 people will be carers at some time in their lives, they often face a lack of recognition whether it's from local GP's, social workers, employers and sometimes even from their own family and friends.
The Carers Allowance is just £50.55 a week (for a 35 hour a week, that's just £1.34 an hour); this is the lowest benefit of its kind; no wonder they struggle with their own finances, health, job, social life and general wellbeing.
Carers Week hopes to raise their awareness for greater recognition and support, and to inform those who are unaware of the services and benefits that they are entitled to.
If you are a carer and would like more information, please visit www.carersweek.org/carers.asp and then click on the carers week in your area for information of your local support group.
Alternatively a brand new helpline was launched on 1 April where advice and support can be given. www.nhs.uk/carersdirect alternatively call 0808 802 0202.
Axiom wholeheartedly supports carers week and hopes that by highlighting this event it will 'make a difference to people's lives'.
If you are an Axiom resident or tenant and would like to talk about
carers week, or need support and/or advice please contact Customer
Services on 01733 347135 and ask for Angie Noble.
If this internet news item has made a positive difference to your life, please let us know by contacting Angela Robinson on 01733 347135.
Clive Arnold - http://ukcarers.org.uk
Commented 145 weeks ago
FOR GAWDS SAKE!!! We are NOT "unsung heroes" we are "exploited workers", that title is really patronising and insulting so please reconsider when using that in connection with Carers.
There hasn't been adequate proof to state the figures you have, this is a fallacy and the stats are based on a vague census question years ago, the question doesn't give an accurate definition of who is or is not a Carer.
The number of Carers has been pretty constant over the last decade so saying 2 million people a year become a Carer seems a little 'odd'.
The stats on the amount of money we save the country is also based on an obtuse estimate (an average of £14.50 a hour was used, many people in the 'care service' receive minimum wage, like I said, obtuse)
The biggest stumbling block to Carers getting a decent deal is the way we are represented, we are not charity cases and can speak for ourselves, we don't need charities to do that for us.
As a Carer for the last 16 years I can honestly say that Carers Week does nothing for Carers, it makes no difference to our lives, it's more a 'jolly' for the national Carers charities.