Monthly Archives: March 2013

Welfare payment cuts are unjust and target the most vulnerable in society

Welfare cuts unjust, say four churches

 The churches say poor people are misrepresented as being lazy

Four churches have joined forces to accuse the government of welfare payment cuts they say are unjust and target society’s most vulnerable.

The Easter criticism has come from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist and United Reformed Churches, and the Church of Scotland.

They also want to see a change to “a false picture” of the poor as “lazy”.

The government said society suffered when people were paid more to be unemployed than to work.

A series of changes to benefits are being made in April – including capping rises on working-age benefits at 1% – which will affect hundreds of thousands of households across the UK.

Ministers say they are necessary to tackle the rising cost to the taxpayer.

Happy birthday to Redditch Carers

Redditch charity celebrates 25 years of caring for carers

12:20pm Friday 29th March 2013 in News

Celebrating 25 years of caring for carers. Members of Carers Careline with mayor Alan Mason. Buy this photo RCR131305a Celebrating 25 years of caring for carers. Members of Carers Careline with mayor Alan Mason. Buy this photo RCR131305a

REDDITCH charity Carers Careline recently had a celebration to mark quarter of a century of caring for carers in the town.

In attendance at the event on Monday, March 25 were current and former carers, staff, volunteers, trustees and counsellors.

In addition the mayor, Alan Mason, who is also one of the charity’s registered carers, attended the event as did Jeff Dry who was one of the original founders. Another carer kindly took the time to play the sitar at the event.

A spokesman said: “We support what we describe as “hidden carers” in the Redditch and Bromsgrove community. People who find themselves caring for parents, children, grandchildren, other relatives, a partner or even a neighbour.

“Often the situation creeps up on people without them realising, and some people deny being a carer because they see it as their duty to look after the person they care for. It can be a demanding role and often creates a sense of isolation especially if they are the only person in that caring position and don’t know where to turn for help.

Community car scheme will help elderly and carers in North Norfolk

Volunteer medi-car schemes set to expand in north Norfolk saving elderly stress and steep taxi fares

By alex hurrell
Friday, March 29, 2013
8:00 AM

Community car schemes which save elderly people stress and steep taxi fares look set to be rolled out over more areas of north Norfolk after a successful meeting in Cromer yesterday.

Representatives from a range of voluntary schemes in rural north Norfolk met to share their expertise with other communities which currently do not offer a service to take their residents to and from medical appointments.

Now their know-how may lead to schemes in Cromer, Sheringham and Bacton whose town and parish council representatives also attended.