Carers Week: Unpaid carers take their message to Westminster
Unpaid carers are travelling to Westminster this Carers Week to tell parliamentarians about the very real pressures they are facing as a result of their caring role, and the need for greater support from the Government.
Unpaid carers have spent today in a series of meetings with MPs and Ministers to share their caring stories, describe the challenges they are facing and call for more support.
The day started with a group of eight carers meeting Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and Shadow Minister for Social Care Liz Kendall in two virtual roundtable meetings to discuss the pressures their caring roles bring.
Carers Trust arranged for two young adult carers to join the roundtable sessions. Recent research by Carers Trust shows the pressure facing young and young adult carers is increasing, with 56% saying the time they spend caring has increased in the past year and 47% now caring for more people than they used to.
All the carers were able to raise their concerns about the challenges they face and what politicians can do to support them, while hearing about the policies and plans of the Liberal Democrats and Labour Party.
In the afternoon a group of Young Adult Carers visited Ten Downing Street for a meeting with Minister for Health and Social Care, Helen Whately. The group included Young Adult Carers Emma, Pooja, Hannah and Holly who receive support from local carer organisations within the Carers Trust network.
The Young Adult Carers discussed with the Minister the need for more support for Young Carers in schools, as well as for Young Adult Carers transitioning into higher education.
In a separate meeting hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers over 25 MPs from a range of political parties signed a pledge to give greater support for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers.
The MPs also heard from Young Adult Carers at the meeting about a range of issues to be included in an inquiry on Young Carers to be launched tomorrow (Wednesday 7th June). These included greater support in education, better support for the families of young carers and the need for young carers to be able to enjoy more time as children and young people.
