Cameron pledges her support to unpaid carers
NICOLA FINDLAY
Dr Lisa Cameron MP has pledged to champion and support unpaid carers across East Kilbride and Strathaven.
This year’s Carers’Week ran from June 8-14 with Carers UK estimating that there are 10,600 plus carers in Dr Cameron’s constituency.
Carers Week is an annual awareness campaign which recognises the vital contribution made by people caring unpaid for family members or friends who are older, disabled or seriously ill.
Virtual carers’events took place across the country and thousands of people added their voice to the Carers Week voices wall.
New research released shows that an additional 4.5 million people in the UK have started caring for someone who is older, disabled or living with a physical or mental illness since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Dr Cameron has been named as a‘Carers Champion’with Carers UK.
She also submitted an Early Day Motion in Westminster calling for support and recognition for carers, Carers Week and the work of Lanarkshire Carers Centre, which received cross party support.
The SNP shadow minister for mental health and chairwoman of the all-party group for disability said:“I will be supporting the thousands of unpaid carers who live in East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow.
“The new research evidences our growing concern that many more people have become carers during the coronavirus situation.
“The carers will need support in place, and this must be addressed by Government across the UK.
“Unpaid carers have been providing crucial support to friends and family members during the COVID-19 pandemic and it is important that their efforts are recognised and applauded.”
She added:“Carers make such an enormous contribution to our society, but we all need to do more to ensure that carers get the recognition, and support they need.
“Too often caring takes place behind closed doors, and carers don’t get the support they need.”
Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said:“This year it is more important than ever to raise the profile of caring and recognise the enormous contribution made by unpaid carers, who throughout the COVID-19 outbreak have played an essential role supporting friends and family who are older, disabled or seriously ill.
“Looking after someone can be a hugely rewarding experience, but it sometimes comes with difficulties, including getting the right support.”