With the election now over we are drawing our virtual protest to an end. We’ve had over 3,500 people sign our letter which we will deliver to David Cameron and Nick Clegg’s new government. The letter says -
Dear Prime Minister,
Unpaid carers save the country a fortune yet many struggle without support.
I want your new government to deliver a better deal for carers. I want carers to get a decent income and practical support when they need it.
In addition to the signatures to the letter we also have hundreds of photos from you who took part in our “Virtual protest”.
In June during Carers Week we’ll take some carers to Number 10 to hand over your messages. The message of this year’s Carers Week is ” a life of my own” – which is summed up so well by this carer. Doreen is part of a carers forum run by the Carers Contact Centre in Telford and Wrekin. Thanks to them for sending such brilliant photos. You can see more of their powerful messages at at www.flickr.com/photos/carersprotest/
Filed under: Virtual Protest Tagged: | care, carers, carersweek, pensioners carers overlapping benefits
I have been caring for my Husband who has just been recently diagnosed with Vascular Senile Dementia,but during the past 15 years has had treatment for cancer of the Bladder,and I have had to take on,not only his care after surgery but also the resposibility of paying the Household bills,because due to a knee operation he was unable to carry on his occupation as a HGV driver. I am now in my late 70′s and have struggled to keep our home going.Now I am given to understand that if my Husband of 53 years has to be put in care,I will have to use the asset of our home to pay for his care. I know i am not the only oone in this position,but I really am angry,as we were encouraged to buy our house,and now it seems as though, although we were promised care from “Cradle to Grave”even that was a promise that has been broken.Lets hope that this Government will help those people who give up all their time to care for their dear ones shown a bit more consideration.Please keep this protest going as I am sure that there are new Carers that will help to sway this Government that we need them to listen to us. Sincerely Marjorie Watkiss.(Mrs)
Mrs Watkiss,
Thanks for your comment. I’m not an expert but I think a couple cannot be made to sell their home to pay for one partners residential care if the other one is still living there. Worth checking out. Please call Carers UK’s advice line on 0808 808 7777.
Best wishes
Matt Hill
Communications and Campaigns Manager