Neighbourhoods where there is a strong attachment to traditional values of thrift, hard work and independence; where there is a reluctance to rely on the state; where there is a concern to do one’s best for one’s children. Is this Middle England? No, it’s a description of six disadvantaged neighbourhoods across Britain, studied in depth over a period of three years.
Author Archives: wendy
Strong community spirit thrives in deprived areas
Strong community spirit thrives in deprived areas
Be interesting to see how they care for carers!
A new study and accompanying exhibition show people in disadvantaged neighbourhoods striving to get by in challenging circumstances
Traditional values and a striving to get by in difficult circumstances were found in disadvantaged neighbourhoods across Britain. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian
1 in 71 children is looked after by a kinship carer in Scotland
For too long, there has been a postcode lottery in crucial financial and other support for kinship carers – when will this change?
Holyrood urged to improve support for kinship carers
- SUPPORT: Tam Baillie says that family members need assistance.
ALISON CAMPSIE
16 Jun 2011
AT least 15,000 children are being raised in Scotland by members of their extended family because their natural parents are unfit to care for them, a major new study has found.
Drug and alcohol abuse, domes- tic violence and an increase in prison populations have led to a growing trend for extended family members to step up to the parenting role, with researchers describing an “invisible population” of carers who receive little or no support from the state.
Supermarket staff trained to spy on customers
Supermarket staff trained to spy on customers
Health officials are training supermarket staff how to spy on customers’ shopping habits to identify carers who might need help.
9:40AM BST 13 Jun 2011
Workers are being taught how to spot people who look after elderly, sick and disabled relatives by the contents of their shopping baskets, so they can be advised about support they are entitled to.
Cashiers are being trained to discretely ask customers about their personal circumstances while serving them.
They can then put those requiring help in touch with charities that can provide information on financial and practical assistance and respite care.
The Department of Health claims the scheme will improve unpaid carers’ access to support which they might not realise is available to them.
