Caroline today pledged her support to carers across Brighton and Hove as part of the national Carers Week 2015 awareness campaign, which runs from 8-14th June.

There are 6.5 million people in the UK who care for a partner, relative or friend, of which around 24,000 carers are in Brighton and Hove.

Without the right help and support, caring can have a devastating impact – carers can quickly become isolated, with their physical and emotional health, work and finances all hit hard.

The six charities driving Carers Week 2015 are calling on individuals, organisations and services throughout the country to take action to improve the lives of carers by building ‘carer-friendly communities’ that consider and support their needs.

The call comes after research for Carers Week revealed that the variation in the support and recognition carers experience from services across the country is putting the health of many carers, and their ability to support the people they care for, at risk.

Caroline said:

“Caring is something that will affect almost everyone of us at some point in our lives. Whether it’s looking after an older relative, supporting a friend who is ill or needing help ourselves, the work of carers matters to all of us.

"I’m proud to be a patron of the Carers Centre for Brighton and Hove and I’ll be doing all I can in Parliament to highlight the work of carers and fight to ensure that they get the support they need.”

Carers Week Manager Diana Walles said:

“It’s fantastic to see MPs supporting carers. Families are increasingly taking on caring roles for older, ill or disabled loved ones, yet still struggle for recognition and support from health and care services and in their communities.

Much progress has been made – indeed, over 1,000 people and organisations have already pledged to actively engage with carers in their local community for Carers Week and into the future. But we still have a long way to go. This Carers Week, we’re calling on individuals and organisations to think about what they can do to improve the lives of carers in their community.”

Carers Week is made possible by Carers UK joining forces with Age UK, Carers Trust, Independent Age, Macmillan Cancer Support and MS Society. 

ENDS

Contact: Matthew Butcher on 07885 459 905