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Carers - the unsung heroes of our society
Six million people motivated by love, compassion and duty provide unpaid care to someone they know. In National Carers' Week, Virginia Mason talks to some of the...
THE UK's carers are quite literally indispensable. They provide unstinting support around the clock, often putting their own lives on hold in the process.
Their unpaid contribution saves the economy a staggering 87 billion each year.
Currently six million of us are providing unpaid care to someone close to us but figures are growing because three in five of us are expected to become carers at some point in our lives, looking after someone who is ill, frail or disabled.
But behind the statistics are stories – stories of real people, like Jean Greenwood, of Elland.
Jean, 61, has become a full-time carer for her 85-year mum, Olive Crowther, who has memory problems and says it a life-changing experience.
"It was a shock when mum began with problems about five years ago because up until then she had been fit and healthy – which she still is physically – and had never been into hospital or anything.
"Now her memory lapses mean I am on call 24 hours a day. No one resents looking after their loved ones but it can be difficult," says Jean who adds that sometimes she has to cope with her mum making phone calls at all hours of the night.
"Mum wants to stay in her own home, which I understand, and she comes here for an evening meal every day. But I could never go off and leave her."
She gives a recent example of when she and husband Steven celebrated their ruby wedding anniversary.
"We went away for a week but we had to plan it for months before, making sure someone was there to look after mum. You can't make plans on the spur of the moment," says Jean who also acted as carer for her late parents-in-law, Audrey and Allan Greenwood.
"Your life does change and for some people that can be heard to deal with."
But Jean says the help and support she receives from the Calderdale Carers' Project is invaluable.
The project, based at Calderdale Business Park, Club Lane, Oven-den provides a number of vital services for those supporting others.
"I would urge anyone caring for someone to join because the support they offer is tremendous. It makes you realise you are not on your own.
"In fact, often you'll realise there are others who have worse problems," says Jean.
"But just getting together with other carers is a big help. We get together for a chat and a laugh. I attended a Looking After Me course recently and it was wonderful. It definitely made things easier to handle.
The project is supporting this year's National Carers' Week and to commemorate the event, a special church service was held at St Anne's In The Grove, Southowram.
Today, Calderdale Carers' Project, in partnership with Calderdale Council, will launch the new Carer Strategy, aimed at improving the lives of carers and those they care for.
National Carers' Week has also attracted the backing of a number of celebrities, including actor David Jason, actress Phyllida Law and presenters Fiona Phillips and Jonathan Dimbleby.
"Having been a carer myself I am all too aware of the huge burden on those looking after a loved one and the daily struggles they face," says the Only Fools and Horses star.
"Carers really are the unsung heroes of our society and all too often they struggle to get the recognition they deserve."
Former breakfast television presenter Fiona Phillips reveals that she cared for her mother, who had a long and painful battle with Alzheimer's, for almost 10 years. Her father now has the disease and she is caring for him.
"One of the hardest things to cope with is the sense of isolation and lack of support, despite the fact that there are over six million people in the UK in the same situation."
Jonathan says Britain's "secret service must never be forgotten, ignored or exploited."
"Just imagine for a moment what would happen if carers ceased to care and simply gave up. There would be no-one to look after the millions of frail, elderly and disabled people. Of course carers would never behave like that. They are motivated by love, duty and compassion.
For Phyllida Law, mother of Hollywood actress Emma Thompson, the process of becoming a carer was unexpected, she reveals.
"The impact on your life is massive and that is why it is so important that carers get the support and services they need."
For more information about Calderdale Carers Project, ring 01422 369101 or 01422 882400.
The facts
There are almost six million carers in the UK with more than 550,000 in Yorkshire and Humberside.
Three million people juggle work with caring responsibilities.
The main Carers Allowance is 50.55 for a minimum of 35 hours – equivalent to 1.34 an hour.
Every year two million people take on new caring responsibilities.
Around 1.25 million people care for more than 50 hours a week.
More than half of carers – 58 per cent – are woman.
Around 1.5 million carers are over the age of 60.
Carers' unpaid contribution saves the economy a staggering 87 billion a year.
It definitely made things easier to handle.
The project is supporting this year’s National Carers’ Week and to commemorate the event, a special church service was held at St Anne’s In The Grove, Southowram.
Today, Calderdale Carers’ Project, in partnership with Calderdale Council, will launch the new Carer Strategy, aimed at improving the lives of carers and those they care for.
National Carers’ Week has also attracted the backing of a number of celebrities, including actor David Jason, actress Phyllida Law and presenters Fiona Phillips and Jonathan Dimbleby.
“Having been a carer myself I am all too aware of the huge burden on those looking after a loved one and the daily struggles they face,” says the Only Fools and Horses star.
“Carers really are the unsung heroes of our society and all too often they struggle to get the recognition they deserve.”
Former breakfast television presenter Fiona Phillips reveals that she cared for her mother, who had a long and painful battle with Alzheimer’s, for almost 10 years. Her father now has the disease and she is caring for him.
“One of the hardest things to cope with is the sense of isolation and lack of support, despite the fact that there are over six million people in the UK in the same situation.”
Jonathan says Britain’s “secret service must never be forgotten, ignored or exploited.”
“Just imagine for a moment what would happen if carers ceased to care and simply gave up. There would be no-one to look after the millions of frail, elderly and disabled people. Of course carers would never behave like that. They are motivated by love, duty and compassion.
For Phyllida Law, mother of Hollywood actress Emma Thompson, the process of becoming a carer was unexpected, she reveals.
“The impact on your life is massive and that is why it is so important that carers get the support and services they need.”
For more information about Calderdale Carers Project, ring 01422 369101 or 01422 882400.
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