Michael Clapham

Labour Party | Barnsley West and Penistone

Local MP calls for recognition for Barnsley West & Penistone's carers

8 June 2009

Local MP, Michael Clapham, is backing this year's Carers Week (8-14 June) in support of Barnsley West & Penistone's carers, who are among the six million people in the UK who provide unpaid care for a loved one who is ill, frail or disabled.

Michael Clapham's support comes as new research reveals that almost three-quarters (74%) of carers have reached breaking point due to the pressures of their role. The results show that the strain of caring is causing some carers such extreme levels of stress and depression that they are suffering breakdowns and, in some cases, even attempting suicide.

The Carers Week survey has also highlighted that that the vast majority of carers feel their role is overlooked or ignored by professionals (87%), friends (78%) and family members (76%). Almost two-thirds (63%) say that their lives are made ‘much more difficult' as a result, with more than half saying that it has affected their health and left them worse off financially.

Michael Clapham MP has joined the call for carers to receive more recognition. He says:

"There are thousands of people in Barnsley West & Penistone 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 at the Barnsley Carers Garden Event on the 12th June at the Metrodome to express my gratitude and respect for our carers, and also to make them aware that there are services and support available to help them. I am aware Caring can be demanding and difficult as I helped care for my mother who died when she was 93 years old, so it's important that carers know that they don't have to struggle on alone."

Those who care for family and friends mostly do so under the radar, without pay or acknowledgement, and deserve to be recognised for their dedication to the people they care for, not just during Carers Week but for all the weeks of the year.