Category Archives: Carers

Army Of Home Carers Plan ‘Virtual Strike’ In Heartbreaking Plea To Iain Duncan Smith

June 20, 2014   Carers, Featured Article, ukcuts

An ‘army’ of home carers are planning a virtual strike on 21 June 2014 to highlight the governments non-recognition of those who work ’round the clock’ caring for sick, elderly and/or disabled friends and relatives.

The organiser behind the event, who is unnamed but describes herself as a ‘carer with attitude’, says that she has been caring for her daughter for 13 years, whilst also working single-handedly to earn enough money to support herself and her family.

Writing on the campaign website, the organiser says: “I’ve spent those 13 years in a haze of exhaustion and poverty and anxiety, listening to other people telling me how tired, hard-working, ill-paid and hard pressed they are.”

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Parents of disabled children ‘desperate’ for committee to reconsider cuts to short breaks

June 19, 2014   Carers, Featured Article, learning difficulties, ukcuts

Desperate: Rose Charles and grandaughter Sophie

By Daniel O’Brien

PARENTS at a special primary school in Whetstone who have had all council funding for its ten-day summer break scheme withdrawn say they are “desperate” to be be able to ask councillors to cancel the cut.

Oakleigh School in Oakleigh Road North, which caters for children with severe and complex learning and physical difficulties was one of ten service providers to have their short-break funding cut by the council in April.

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People with learning disabilities need more information to help them vote

June 17, 2014   Carers, Featured Article, learning difficulties

With less than a year to go until the general election, politicians and electoral officials must do more to drive up votes

. Photograph: Cecilia Colussi/ Demotix/ Corbishar
There are many barriers preventing people with learning disabilities exercising their right to vote. Photograph: Cecilia Colussi/ Demotix/ Corbis

So many major news stories emerged from this year’s local and European elections – from Ukip’s European triumphs to the woes of the Lib Dems and Nick Clegg – that one local controversy went relatively unnoticed. This was the allegation – made by local Labour MP Kate Green – that an unnamed councillor in Trafford had been heard to say in a polling station that a person with a learning disability “shouldn’t be voting”. To her credit, returning officer Theresa Grant immediately launched an investigation into the matter.

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