The Carer Watch submission to the DWP Select Enquiry

Replies

By Lynn

Re: The Carer Watch submission to the DWP Select Enquiry
Fri 30 May 2008 11:07

WOW, that is impressive Cheryl! It shows a true understanding of Carers wants and needs - not just something plucked out of the air for 'effect'!

Everyone involved should be proud of themselves - and other Carers should be very grateful for the massive amount of time and effort you have all put in.

Its only this sort of well thought out and professionally written submission that the 'powers that be' will be encouraged to read and understand.

Thank you
Lynn

By jeanette

Re: The Carer Watch submission to the DWP Select Enquiry
Fri 30 May 2008 12:02

I would like to thank you and your team too Cheryl. such a lot of time and effort put in to it. so well informed!!
I hope it makes a dramatic effect on The Powers That Be!!I Also hope a march to Downing street will take place!! (Read Carers UK )
I believe all TV stations etc would be very interested to cover a march!! I think it should have happened a long time ago ..but better late than never!!
Carers are certainly the underdogs in the benefits/health/social care system. And in my case ,would also say that both Carer and/caree with L/D and dementia is the lowest of the lot! ( but that of course is my personal opinion perhaps someone out there is worse off?) It is unfortunate that we have to bat in our own corner instead of collectively ..fight!
So perhaps many banners will be out and at last justice will prevail!
Just hope Carers UK and PRTC will support us and make it happen,because they do speak on behalf of a huge number of Carers!
Sometimes actions speak louder than words!

By caretocare

Re: The Carer Watch submission to the DWP Select Enquiry
Fri 30 May 2008 19:16

Hi
Im new here and dont wish to sound out of place but hows this going to help ?
The messages on carerswatch have only had a minimum amount of replies (maximum on 1 is 4)
Whats so impressive about it ? How does it show ' true understanding of Carers wants and needs'
Why should they be proud of themselves as they havent actually done anything yet ?
Although I am new on here I do keep up with what other carer sites do and what they have actually done
Sadly i find an awful lot of hypocrisy and alot of talk and no action , I seriously doubt a coach load of say 70 people standing outside the gates of downing street will cause any fuss at all , just be a nice day out
You want to do some proper work then dont you think that you should talk to the opposition like the conservatives/liberal etc ?
Especially in the unstable state that labour is in at the moment , when a general election is called wouldnt it be great to see a conservative/liberal advert saying they will give us carers more money rather than wasting time on labour who are so buggered at the moment they have no time to even contemplate it ?
Just a thought and dont mean to offend but would like some answers to my questions
Many thanks

By Lynn

Re: The Carer Watch submission to the DWP Select Enquiry
Fri 30 May 2008 20:24

Caretocare

As I am quoted I will reply to your questions relative to my comments which were based on the fact that, having read the submission in detail, I strongly feel that it pulls together the majority of points that Carers have been discussing on various boards and in many groups over a number years.

The fact that a small number of Carers have given their time to present it in the way that government departments recognise and expect is to be commended.

I have nothing else to add as my comments were only relevant to the excellent submission bought to our attention by Cheryl.

Lynn

By CHERYL THE PERIL

Re: The Carer Watch submission to the DWP Select Enquiry
Fri 30 May 2008 20:45

Hi
Thanks Lyn and Jay.

Hi Caretocare
I think Lyn was refering to DWP Select Committee submission when she says that it shows ' true understanding of Carers wants and needs' not the CW website/forum its self.
Regardless of how many carer forums there are
they all have one thing in common which is that usually only a small proportion of their members are active in actually posting.
Carerwatch is there, just like any other facility it's up to the users/members how active and influential it can be.

You think it would be a good idea to talk to the Conservatives and LibDems so they can make promises to carers of how much more help carers will get if they are elected?

Of course they may well promise the sun, moon and earth, but when they get into power will they keep them? Or will they set up a commission, conduct a survey, and we can all (again) await the results of their findings.
Labour has already been down that road. And they must by now surely be running out of excuse to delay doing something?

From a personal point of view I don't have a particular liking for New Labour, it seems remarkable like left wing Conservative to me.
But interestingly the Conservatives voted against most benefits that Labour has introduced.
Including (I think) Carers Allowance, Pension Credit, Heating Allowance and Tax Credits.

So I wouldn't be confident of the Torys fulfilling any promises and the LibDems realistically can make as many out landish promises that suits them because they have no chance of being in a position to fulfill them.

But having said that, if Carerwatch members want to contact the Conservatives/Lib Dems there's nothing to stop them from doing so individually or through Carerwatch. They just have to say so and we'll give it a shot.

Regards
Cheryl

By jeanette

Re: The Carer Watch submission to the DWP Select Enquiry
Fri 30 May 2008 20:45

Hi caretocare.
One thing you need to know is that there are a number of carer groups on the net, who are all talking about The submission and/or march. so many more than the few you mention on carer watch.
Only my opinion but those who took the time and trouble to write the submission on my behalf (as well as every other carer)deserve our thanks. There was a lot of work done there!!
The more that is said to the politicians the stronger our chances!! It is being done as well as the aforementioned submission. Why did you think it wasnt?
A march would be the icing on the cake for me!!
Let all those people out there 'see /hear' just what we have to contend with day in day out!! The general public havnt a clue,
but publicity in any way would bring it to the fore!!

By krys

Re: The Carer Watch submission to the DWP Select Enquiry
Sat 31 May 2008 11:02

hello

i would like to thank cheryl and her team too.
anything that bring awareness to carers issues,
has to be a good thing, and i do not think negative comments help, especially when so much hard work has gone into this.
well done!!!

krys

By JeanM

Re: The Carer Watch submission to the DWP Select Enquiry
Sat 31 May 2008 21:54

thank you for the link Cheryl.
I read it and it was very impressive.
A lot of work and time obviously went into it.

By Juliann

Re: The Carer Watch submission to the DWP Select Enquiry
Sat 31 May 2008 21:57

Hi I'm gratfull for anything anyone can do for the carers, and i think a carers union is a great idea, only one thing puzzled me! a union for working age careres what is the age for a carer to retire, i know of people caring at 65, 72,81 just because the carers allowance STOPS!! the carring does not, IT SHOULD BE A UNION FOR ALL CARERS, of all ages, sexes and gender.

By Tonyd1

Re: The Carer Watch submission to the DWP Select Enquiry
Sun 1 Jun 2008 19:54

Hi
I also the think the submission and it`s creators need to be credited, anything that keeps carers and there plight being noticed has to be a good thing all round. Nothing that any one can do will be a quick fix solution, for the simple fact there is no such thing, but we all have to keep pluggin away, and I can also assure you carertocare that conservative and liberal democrat mps are being approached and spoken to.
Tony