Theresa May is backing this year’s Carers Week (8-14 June) in support of carers in the Maidenhead area, who are among the six million people in the UK who provide unpaid care for a loved one who is ill, frail or disabled.
Theresa’s support comes as new research reveals that almost three-quarters (74%) of carers have reached breaking point due to the pressures of their role. The results show that the strain of caring is causing some carers such extreme levels of stress and depression that they are suffering breakdowns and, in some cases, even attempting suicide.
The Carers Week survey has also highlighted that the vast majority of carers feel their role is overlooked or ignored by professionals (87%), friends (78%) and family members (76%). Almost two-thirds (63%) say that their lives are made ‘much more difficult’ as a result, with more than half saying that it has affected their health and left them worse off financially.
Theresa has joined the call for carers to receive more recognition. She will be visiting the Carers Stall in the Nicholson’s Shopping Centre in Maidenhead on Friday 12th June to show her support.
Commenting, Theresa said: “I am delighted to be supporting Carers Week, which I hope will raise the profile of people who care for others because of an illness or disability, or for a range of other reasons. It is important that carers know about the support that is available to them.”
“There are thousands of carers in the Maidenhead area, including young carers under the age of 18, all of whom make considerable sacrifices to care for a loved one. I want to recognise the contribution that they make to our local community, as well as to the whole of the nation.”
Carers can find out more about local events and activities taking place as part of Carers Week, by visiting www.carersweek.org or calling 0845 241 2582.
