Christopher Fraser MP has pledged his support for Carers Week 2007. It is hoped that the week will draw attention to the UK’s six million carers – people who look after a loved one who is either ill, frail or disabled – to help them gain the recognition and support they desperately need.
‘My Life as a Carer’ is the theme for Carers Week, and a survey of 3,500 carers has revealed the immense impact caring can have on every aspect of their life including, health, finances, career and relationships.
Two out of every three carers (66%) admitted that their personal relationships had suffered as a direct result of caring, with 60% revealing they have little quality time together with their partners. Two thirds (67%) admitted to being financially worse off, with a quarter (28%) unable to support their family properly. An alarming three-quarters of carers had not had a break from their caring role in the past 12 months. Carers Week will highlight the services available to help ease the burden of caring and ensure carers lives’ are changed for the better.
Christopher Fraser said: “I am delighted to be supporting Carers Week. There are six million carers in the UK, including many in my constituency of South West Norfolk and in Norfolk as a whole. On top of worrying about a loved one’s needs, it must be terrible if carers themselves feel they have nowhere and nobody to turn to.
“I hope that by supporting Carers Week, more of my constituents who are dedicated to looking after someone will find out what services and support are available to them locally.”
Christopher Fraser has also signed up to a parliamentary Early Day Motion which calls for an updated and improved National Carers Strategy.
Notes to editors:
Carers Week is a partnership of seven UK-wide charities working together; Carers UK, Counsel and Care; Crossroads Caring for Carers; Help the Aged; Macmillan Cancer Support; MS Society; Rethink and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers. For more information about Carers Week, please visit www.carersweek.org Christopher Fraser can be contacted on 020 7219 6293. |