Aberavon MP Welcomes National Minimum Wage Rise
22nd May 2009
Dr Hywel Francis has teamed up with TV and radio presenter Jonathan Dimbleby to support this year’s Carers Week (8-14 June), and celebrate the contribution made by those people in Aberavon and throughout the UK who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled.
The theme for Carers Week is ‘Carers... the UK’s secret service’ and calls for carers to receive greater recognition for the work they carry out, so vital for their families and friends, and for their communities.
Dr Hywel Francis wants to pay tribute to carers, and to urge that they receive more support in their caring roles.
Hywel Francis said:
“There are thousands of people in Aberavon who sacrifice their time – and often their health, finances, work and social life – in order to care for a loved one. They deserve to be recognised for the priceless contribution they make, both to our local community and to society at large.
“I am taking part in Carers Week firstly to express my gratitude and respect for our carers, but also to make them aware that there are services and support out there to help them. Caring can be demanding and difficult, so it’s important that carers know that they don’t have to struggle on alone.”
Carers Week is organised by a partnership of 10 national charities: including Carers UK, Counsel and Care, Crossroads Caring for Carers, Help the Hospices, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Parkinson’s disease Society, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Vitalise and WRVS. For more information about local events and activities taking place as part of Carers Week, visit www.carersweek.org or call 0845 241 2582.
