The unsung heroes who act as carers for family and friends should be given greater recognition, said Island MP Andrew Turner this week. There is an army of volunteers, at least 14,000 on the Island and six million nationwide, whose dedication and devotion often goes unnoticed and unrewarded.
Mr Turner said:
” I would like to hear what the Government intends to do to reduce the number of unclaimed carers benefits, reported to be over £700 million, and to deliver the carers’ helpline and expert carers programme it recently announced.”
He was speaking after attending a meeting of the IW branch of Carers UK at the Riverside Centre, Newport, to mark Carers’ Week. There was a discussion, led by Jane Hughes, of the problems facing carers.
Mr Turner, who earlier this year needed extra help and support while recovering from a stroke, said his experience highlighted the unselfish and necessary part carers played in society and the strain that caring for a loved one can place on family and friends.
“I was lucky. I only need help and support for a relatively brief time but many others rely on carers for years and years.”
He added that there are many thousands of children in the country acting as carers and 18,000 were aged between five and 15. They provided 20 hours or more of care a week while nearly 9,000 provided at least 50 hours.
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Contact : Andrew Turner’s office 01983 530808
