Local MP backs campaign for UK's 6 million carers
11th June 2007
Aberavon MP, Dr Hywel Francis, sponsor of the Carers Equal Opportunities Act - 2004 has pledged his support for Carers Week 2007* (11-17th June). Dr Hywel Francis MP is drawing attention to the UK's six million carers - people who look after a loved one who is either ill, frail or disabled - to help them gain the recognition and support they desperately need.
'My Life as a Carer' is the theme for Carers Week, and a survey of 3,500 carers has revealed the immense impact caring can have on every aspect of their life including, health, finances, career and relationships.
Two out of every three carers (66%) admitted that their personal relationships had suffered as a direct result of caring, with 60% revealing they have little quality time together with their partners. Two thirds (67%) admitted to being financially worse off, with a quarter (28%) unable to support their family properly. An alarming three-quarters of carers had not had a break from their caring role in the past 12 months.
Carers Week will highlight the services available to help ease the burden of caring and ensure carers lives' are changed for the better.
Dr Hywel Francis MP says: "I am delighted to be supporting Carers Week. There are six million carers in the UK, including many my constituency of Aberavon. On top of worrying about a loved one's needs, it must be terrible if carers themselves feel they have nowhere and nobody to turn to.
"I hope that by supporting Carers Week, more of my constituents who are dedicated to looking after someone will find out what services and support are available to them locally."
Dr Hywel Francis MP has also signed up to a parliamentary Early Day Motion which calls for an updated and improved National Carers Strategy.
A host of well-known faces are supporting Carers Week, including Esther Rantzen, Coleen Nolan and Brenda Blethyn.
For more information or to arrange an interview with Dr Hywel Francis MP, please contact 020 7219 8121.
Notes to editors
Carers Week is a partnership of seven UK-wide charities working together; Carers UK, Counsel and Care; Crossroads Caring for Carers; Help the Aged; Macmillan Cancer Support; MS Society; Rethink and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers
For more information about Carers Week, please visit www.carersweek.org
