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Ever since carers set up Carers UK we have been seeking to transform the understanding of caring so that better support for carers is put in place. Undoubtedly the carers’ movement has come a long way. It was only in the 1970s that the term ‘carer’ made it into the dictionary and only in the mid-1990’s that the term 'carer' became enshrined in law.
Today Carers UK is making sure carers are at the heart of debate on areas such as work, pensions and health and social care provision. Carers UK works with elected representatives across all political parties and in all four legislatures to help them understand the issues facing carers. We provide the secretariat for the All Parliamentary Groups on Carers at Westminster and in the Welsh Assembly. In 2006 we successfully campaigned for the introduction of a ministerial level carers champion in the Welsh Assembly. We are working with the Scottish Parliament to introduce Care 21 – a framework for better supporting carers across Scotland. We are now taking a lead by extending this work to Europe through the Euro carers partnership.
Carers UK provides training and consultancy that helps health and social care professionals provide the very best support to carers. Last year we trained over two thousand professionals and worked with local authorities like Ceredigion County Council, North Lanarkshire Council and Luton and Halton Borough Councils to help them improve their services to carers.
We have helped companies like BT and Centrica develop flexible working which enable their employees with caring responsibilities juggle work and care. Companies benefit through improved retention of staff and reduced recruitment costs. Our trainers are recognised experts who are able to draw on Carers UK’s knowledge of best practice.
Carers UK uses the media to reach thousands of carers to tell them how to get help. Our members tell their story to the media so that other carers know they are not alone, to improve the public’s understanding and that there is an organisation that is fighting for them. In February 2006 we worked with ITV News on a week long
series of programmes exploring the impact of caring on people’s lives. Last year we created 180 million opportunities through our media work for people to see, read or hear about the issues facing carers, where to get help and the work of Carers UK.
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