Hedge End’s MP Chris Huhne and Actor Sir David Jason Team Up to Support UK Carers Week in Eastleigh

Monday 14 to Sunday 20 June is UK Carers Week and Hedge End’s MP Chris Huhne and actor Sir David Jason OBE have joined together to urge more support for carers and to celebrate the contribution made by carers in Eastleigh to support the ill, frail and disabled.

Chris Huhne said, “Carers in Eastleigh and throughout the UK deserve to be recognised for the priceless contribution they make to their loved ones, to our local community and to society at large.”

The theme of this year’s Carers Week, the tenth to be organised, is ‘A life of my own’ after a survey of carers conducted earlier this year reported that 76 percent of those surveyed felt they had no life outside their caring role.

The survey revealed that 80 percent of those who took part in the survey (3,282 in total) had had to give up leisure activities and socialising, with 75 percent saying they’d lost touch with family and friends since becoming a carer.

It’s estimated that carers save the UK economy £87 billion each year, but the effect on job prospects and careers can be devastating with 80 percent of the carers surveyed saying they were worse off financially and 54 percent reporting that they’d had to give up work.

Carers Week 2010 is highlighting in particular the need for carers to have improved access to relevant and practical information and the opportunity to take breaks, as well as to receive financial support and help at times of crisis.

Chris Huhne: “The Coalition Government have already outlined plans to make the system fairer to carers, with plans to use direct payments and community programmes to provide better access to respite care for their loved ones.

“I am supporting Carers Week and want to express my respect and gratitude to all our carers and to ensure that those who feel isolated or lonely because of caring learn about the services and support out there to help them.”

Sir David Jason, who has personal experience of being a carer, said: “A lot of people, including myself, have had to look after someone at a time of illness or infirmity. However, the people who really deserve our support and encouragement are those carers, young and old, who are in this situation day in day out, caring for someone who truly depends on them. With little respite, this must surely be a very demanding lifestyle and I acknowledge the sacrifices they make and the limitations which are placed upon them. Thanks goodness they care.”

Other celebrities supporting Carers Week and who all have experience of caring, include Lynda Bellingham, Cilla Black, Jonathan Dimbleby, Gloria Hunniford, Claire King, Phyllida Law, Miriam Margoyles, Esther Rantzen, Angela Rippon, Tony Robinson, John Stapleton and Chris Steele.

If you are a carer and would like to share your experiences, do please post them on Hedgeendpeople.

Or if you know of a carer and would like their work to more widely recognized or if you have any comments on the role of carers or on Carers Week 2010 – tell Hedgeendpeople.