Barbara Follett backs Carers Week 2005
Stevenage MP Barbara Follett is lending her support to this year’s Carers Week (June 13th to 19th 2005).
Carers Week is an annual event that raises awareness of carers – people who look after a sick or disabled friend, partner or relatives – and issues that affect them. During this year’s event thousands of events will be taking place up and down the country to give carers a break and highlight the support available to them.
Once such event was organised by USDAW (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) to highlight the 9,000 working carers in Stevenage – carers who juggle their home life, working life and careering responsibilities.
There are an estimated six million carers in Britain today, many of whom don’t recognize themselves as carers and aren’t aware of the support and services available to them.
“Carers make an invaluable contribution to society and save the Exchequer an incredible £57 billion every year”, says Mrs Follett. “It’s vital that they receive the support they need to continue caring while leading fulfilling lives of their own. There is help and support available for carers so I would urge anyone in this constituency who looks after a friend, relative or partner to contact their local carers group as soon as possible”.
2005 is the eleventh annual Carers Week. It is jointly organised by seven UK-wide charities; Carers UK, Crossroads Caring for Carers, Help the Aged, Macmillan Cancer Relief, MS Society, Rethink and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.
For further information about local Carers Week events visit www.carersweek.org/whatshappening.asp
For information about local carers groups www.carersuk.org or www.carers.org
Issued: 16.06.05
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