Carers Week has been in focus this week.
Without this army of unsung heroes in our communities and the selfless role they play, the NHS and social care would be sunk without trace. The value of unpaid care – which is priceless – has nonetheless been estimated at £162 billion a year.
It is critically important to understand the challenges unpaid carers face and listen to their needs.
I was delighted to meet Eastbournian, Heather, who came up to Parliament as part of an event organised by Carers UK and we’ll be talking further over a cup of tea back at home about the experience of caring and the type of support that can make the difference.
The Carers Leave Act that gained Royal Assent this year is just one small difference, and I was pleased to be on the bill committee that took it through. It provides for unpaid carers to take one week of unpaid leave a year to support those most in need.
Many employers already showed flexibility and allowed this but enshrining it in law was an important step. It cannot be fair for carers to have to take their holiday or lieu days entitlements to ensure they can continue being a carer.
Around two million people are estimated to be giving unpaid care while balancing work alongside their caring responsibilities.
My hope is this new law is a stepping stone towards more support for unpaid carers going forward.
A big thank you to all those who organised and got involved in Eastbourne’s 999 Festival last weekend.
Western Lawns was turned into a veritable disaster zone. There was the re-enactment of a cliff top rescue and the taming of a kitchen fire to name but a few.
It was cute to see so many little kids trying on oversized helmets and jackets. It appears many people, me included, do love a uniform.
But on a serious note, there were some important messages around the fun and drama. Just two lungs full of smoke is enough to render you unconscious and in a sad sign of the times, our local Street Pastors now offer drink covers to help prevent spiking.
