Bedworth woman at Downing Street to highlight unpaid care issues
Jun 24 2011
A CARER from Bedworth was among a group of unpaid carers invited to a reception at Downing Street hosted by the Prime Minister.
Helen Taylor was able to meet with David Cameron and other cabinet ministers in the capital as part of this year’s Carers Week.
Helen has cared for her husband Geoff, who has dementia, for the past 14 years and the reception gave Helen a chance to discuss the issues that affect her life with MPs and policy-makers who rarely get to hear first-hand the experiences of people like her.
She said: “David Cameron has had personal experience of caring so this was a chance to make sure that his government do not lose sight of those of us who dedicate our time to looking after a loved one. It’s really important that politicians understand the challenges that we carers face and what they can do to make a difference.
“I had the opportunity to speak to the Prime Minister about the very real and essential support that admiral nurses give carers like me. As he was about to leave the room, I took hold of his arm and reiterated the real benefits of admiral nurses. This appeared to have paid off as in his speech he mentioned admiral nurses.”
Carers Week manager Paul Matz added: “Many carers are already under a huge amount of financial and emotional pressure. Some carers are forced to give up work to provide 24-hour care.
“Some of them hold down demanding careers, working a double life as a carer and an employee. Some of them are children; those who should be the cared for, having to do the caring.
“This has been a great opportunity for carers to tell politicians what life is really like for them, and what could be done to help.”
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