Prize-winning programme highlights the work of unpaid carers

A radio documentary featuring unpaid carers from all over Scotland picked up a major prize at a recent radio awards ceremony.

The 27th Sony Radio Academy Awards on 11 May presented broadcaster Edi Stark with the Sony Gold Award prize for her programme The Investigation: Never Too Old to Care, which was broadcast in December 2008 and repeated in May of this year.

In the programme, Helena Kelman, Carers Resource Worker at The Princess Royal Trust for Carers Lanarkshire Carers Centre, and Jan Wells, Manager of the VSA Carers Centre in Aberdeen, spoke about the difficulties unpaid carers have in accessing funding and how little money is available to them.

The broadcast also featured unpaid carers from all over Scotland (including Lanarkshire and Aberdeenshire) speaking about their caring role, the hardships they experience and the bureaucratic difficulties they have encountered while trying to get help. The carers who spoke included Bill Shanks who, together with his wife Sheena, looks after their son Russell who has cerebral palsy. Now in their 70s, Bill and Sheena have cared for Russell throughout his life.

Reflecting on the broadcast, Helena said: “As a thank you to us, Edi invited the carers who were part of the programme and myself to the BBC studios in Glasgow, which was really interesting and enjoyable for us.

“Taking part in the programme was incredibly worthwhile, as it raised awareness of carers and their issues. The programme highlighted the difficulties carers face – accessing the services they need, getting money and dealing with their caring role, which is often a full-time job.”

Lanarkshire Carers Centre and VSA Carers Centre are affiliated to The Princess Royal Trust for Carers. Lanarkshire Carers Centre is at 46 Campbell Street, Hamilton ML3 6AS, phone number 01698 428090, and the VSA Carers Centre is situated at 24-28 Belmont Street, Aberdeen AB10 1JH, phone number 01224 646677. Visit Lanarkshire Carers Centre's website.