How do we show how much we value carers?

By Ricki Lake

Being a carer is hard work. We are not in practise protected by the 48-hour rule, nor health and safety laws. The Government has launched a green paper on caring for older people but help for carers is thin on the ground: adults receive just £53 per week. For such a valuable contribution, is that fair?

Even more concerning is that many of our carers are children – themselves amongst the most vulnerable in society. They have to balance their own education with the difficult job of caring for loved ones, while also trying to live a “normal” life. There are support groups for child carers but the problem is often that – when caring for a relative for 24 hours day – there is just no time to attend.

So my challenge to ministers and readers of this blog is: what more can we do to help carers?