Category Archives: disability

The ‘forgotten’ carers battling to cope alone:

May 20, 2013   Carers, disability

Almost two million are missing out on vital support because they do not consider themselves carers

  • Nearly half of carers are worse off by £5,000 a year
  • A quarter of carers have had to spend their savings to cover the costs

By Jenny Hope

PUBLISHED: 02:08, 20 May 2013 | UPDATED: 02:08, 20 May 2013

Many carers do not realise they are eligible to support from local authorities and the health service

 

Almost two million carers may be missing out on vital support because they are ‘under the radar’ of official figures, it is feared.

As many as 1.75million of the 6.5million Britons who have responsibilities for looking after loved ones do not consider themselves as carers, says a report.

They are therefore failing to apply for a range of help available to them from local authorities and the health service, as well as charities.

Family duty: A third of carers say they are coping badly with the pressure of looking after loved ones

The demands of the role can affect their health and well-being as well as their finances, with nearly half worse off by £5,000 a year.

The report from the Scottish Widows think-tank the Centre for the Modern Family reveals almost one in three adults – 15million Britons – supports friends or family without financial reward in some way.

Most willingly do so and see the role as part of their family duty.

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Students with learning difficulties and disabilities excited about new building

May 19, 2013   Carers, disability, learning difficulties

Barnet and Southgate College seeks permission to build new teaching facility for disabled students

9:00am Sunday 19th May 2013 in News

A two-storey classroom block for students with learning difficulties and disabilities could be built at Barnet and Southgate College.

The Enfield campus of the college, in High Street, Southgate, has applied for planning consent to build the new facility, which would cater for up to 150 students and 26 full-time carers and staff.

Planning officers have recommended the proposals, which include car parking and landscaping, be approved.

Enfield Council’s planning committee will meet on Tuesday to assess the application.

http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/

 

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Caring MP meets carers

May 18, 2013   Carers, carersweek, disability

Westminster Life: Recognising carers who give so much

Rainbow Court in Paston

Rainbow Court in Paston

A few weeks ago, it was my privilege to attend the Peterborough Deafblind Club monthly meeting at Rainbow Court in Paston to listen to the views of club members and meet both them and their carers, most of whom were interpreters too. I always get a warm welcome and my marching orders from the inestimable Peter Skivington MBE, who is a great advocate for deafblind people.

This week the campaign to raise awareness of Carers Week  which this year begins on 10th June through to 16th June, came to Westminster. It’s about celebrating and thanking these dedicated people in our community.

Carers are the unsung heroes of our public services, providing unpaid care by looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner. Carers give so much to society yet as a consequence of caring, they experience ill health, poverty and sometimes discrimination.

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