Today I was pleased to open the event that marked National Carers Rights Day. In Reading alone, it is estimated that over 12,000 people provide some form of unpaid care for a friend, relative, or neighbour, who would not be able to cope without their support. The council and local charities are proud to put on an annual free event aims to bring organisations across Reading together to help carers know their rights and find out how to get the help and support they are entitled to.
The event, was hosted by Reading and West Berkshire Carers Hub with the support of Reading Council, local voluntary care sector providers, carers, and charities and is more important now than ever in the light of the government’s continued ignorance and ignoring of support for carers and those that they care for – indeed the silence on social care in Wednesday’s budget spoke volumes.
At the same time there continues to be upheaval in the benefits system and a rise in the cost of living.
It is left to local volunteers, charities and councils to try to plug the gap and today we had talks on future care, power of attorney and changes in benefits. Carers play a pivotal role in our communities but I’m always aware that some people may not see themselves as carers or know that they have specific rights and that they are entitled to additional social care support.
A free guide to Carers Rights – including financial and workplace advice and where to go for practical help – is available online at http://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/get-resources/carers-rights-guide
More information on the event is available on Reading Services Guide: http://servicesguide.reading.gov.uk/kb5/reading/directory/site.page?id=o2Tt-Cic4X4
There is more information about the support on offer to carer’s at: http://servicesguide.reading.gov.uk/kb5/reading/directory/adult.page?adultchannel=5
