Mike Penning MP backs ‘Carers Week’
18th June 2012
Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead is supporting this year’s Carers Week, which runs from 18-24 June, and their campaign “In sickness and in health” which recognises the contribution made by those people in Dacorum and throughout the UK.
Carers provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled. The work that carers carry out is vital for their families and friends, and for their communities.
Mike Penning said:
“Thousands of people in Dacorum sacrifice both their time and money in order to care for a loved one. There are over six million unpaid carers in this country.
“I am supporting Carers Week to show my respect and appreciation for our nation’s carers. I also want them to know that there are services available to help them. Caring can be so incredibly demanding, and it’s important that carers know that they don’t have to struggle on alone.”
One of Carers Week’s celebrity supporters Fiona Phillips has personal experience of being a carer. She said:
“From personal experience, I know caring can demand a lot of your time and attention, which in some cases can put pressure on other areas in your life such as financial responsibilities and relationships. These problems can prove to be exhausting and mentally gruelling and can really take its toll on your health and wellbeing. I hope that Carers Week can again help to achieve change, and make a real difference to the lives of carers in this country.”
Helen Clarke, Carers Week Manager said:
“I’m delighted that MPs are listening to carers’ concerns and supporting this year’s Carers Week. We must take action to support the UK’s 6.4 million carers. Many are paying the price of a care system in crisis - being forced to give up work to care and often pushed into ill-health, financial hardship and debt because of a lack of support to help them care.”
Carers Week is organised by a partnership of eight national charities: Age UK, Carers Trust, Carers UK, Independent Age, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, MS Society, and Parkinson’s UK. It is sponsored by Sainsbury’s and Skills for Care/Skills for Health. For more information about local events and activities visit www.carersweek.org.
