Rosie Winterton

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Carers Week

Rosie from left to right are Mr Hensleigh Pine, Zubeida Rashid and Debbie Osborne of Doncaster Partnership for Carers, Mr Ali Rahmat, Gini Bhadhuri - Asian Carers Advocate, Mr M Patel and Mrs Pratibha Singh

Rosie Winterton, MP for Doncaster Central will be opening the Multi Cultural Carers Day on Friday 15 June at 11.00 a.m. at St Peter in Chains, Chequer Road, Doncaster.

Doncaster Partnership for Carers have invited Rosie to join the celebrations at a Multicultural Carers Day Event as part of Carers Week 2007.  This year Carers Week is themed on ‘My Life as a Carer’ and Rosie will be meeting Pratibha Singh who was named ‘Carer of the Year’ at Daily Mail National Carer of the Year awards in October.  The event will include musical performances and Indian Classical, Bollywood and Carribean Dance. 

Rosie says

 “I am delighted to have been invited by Doncaster Partnership for Carers to join their celebration of Carer’s Week and open the Multicultural Carers Day.

Carers, like Pratibha, take on a difficult role.  Caring for someone who is sick or disabled can affect relationships, a career and the carer’s own well being.  It is important that carers are aware of and can access the support and information available to help them.  I would encourage Carers needing help or advice to contact Doncaster Partnership for Carers on telephone number 01302 341240”

Pratibha took on her caring role in 1993 when her family were struck by tragedy.  Her father-in-law passed away and a month after, her sister-in-law was murdered by a burglar in her home.  Pratibha’s adult nieces Ashwant and Tejinder, both severely mentally and physically disabled due to cerebral palsy were now alone, as their father had left long ago as a result of their disability.  Pratibha took on the role of main carer and brought her nieces to live with her and her husband Parminda and their two children.  Sadly Tejinder died suddenly last year.  Pratibha still looks after Ashwant, now 36, who will require round the clock care for the rest of her life.

Pratibha says

“Friends began to drop away almost immediately.  They stopped inviting me out as they knew I no longer had any spare time and they didn’t seem comfortable visiting me at home.

I have learned so much from Ashwant and Tejinder.  I’m grateful for having the chance to be a second mother to these two special girls.  I also think that caring is a special job, one that God doesn’t give to everyone.  I believe he gave me this job because he knew I could do it.”