Carers July Newsletter 2008
Summer Party & Quiz!
Come along to our Summer Party in the chat room at 7-8.30pm on 21st August. If you haven't yet been to an event in the chat room, this is your chance to join in and meet other carers.
On the night we will be holding our annual Summer Quiz, with prizes of up to £50 in M&S vouchers for the winner and runners up.
We will also be giving away party packs to the first 20 carers who respond to this newsletter. To enter email us at web@carers.org with your name, address and the subject 'Summer Party'.
Carer's landmark win on employment rights
In a landmark decision, which could lead to more rights for carers in the workplace, European court judges have ruled that EU law protecting employees against discrimination at work due to disability, also applies to their carers.
Sharon Coleman, a legal secretary, felt forced to resign due to her employer refusing her flexible working arrangements to enable her to work and care for her son, who was born with serious respiratory problems. She claimed she was discriminated against and treated less favourably than other employees whose children were not disabled.
Government unveils new welfare plans for carers
The government has issued a consultation document on its plans to make major changes to unemployment and incapacity benefits. The plans could affect carers who receive benefits.
It proposes that people who are currently receiving Income Support (IS) will be moved to receiving Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) and that IS will eventually be abolished.
Read the consultation, "No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility".
Find out how the plans could affect you or read the discussion boards
Vote for your GP!
The Simplyhealth Caring Awards 2008 are your opportunity to vote for the UK’s most caring GP.
Are you an unpaid family carer that has an amazingly supportive GP? Then you may want to say thank you for all the help that they have given you by entering them in this award. This year’s prize is £250 each for the winning GP and for you.
Find out more about the awards
Holiday Help for Wheelchair Users
The new Accessible Accommodation Search from Disabled Holiday Information offers holiday information for wheelchair users and their carers.
The website is designed to help disabled travellers choose accessible holidays for themselves and their families.
Get help planning your holiday or visit our Taking a Holiday section