Carers deserve our support
Last week was National Carers Week, a great opportunity for us all to reflect on the priceless contribution that Scotland’s 788,000 carers make to our society.
Carers give their time generously and selflessly in an effort to support and help others and to perform an essential role within society.
Whether we expect it or not, many of us will become carers and it can have a huge impact on many aspects of life.
I am extremely conscious, from going around Perthshire South and Kinross-shire throughout my time as an elected representative, of the number of people who carry out the role of carer.
Looking after others – particularly family members – can often go un-noticed and un-praised so I was more than happy to give my support to carers week.
But, of course, a carer’s responsibilities aren’t restricted to one week in the year, so while it is great that we are able to take that opportunity to put the spotlight on the work that carers do and some of the challenges they face, I am really pleased that, in government, we are working to ensure that their contribution is duly valued and properly supported day in, day out.
Here are just five ways that the SNP Scottish Government is supporting carers:
From this summer, carer’s allowance will be increased by more than £500 per year, with payments backdated to April 2018. And, by the end of this parliament, we’ll increase carer’s allowance further for those who look after more than one disabled child.
In 2019 a young carers grant - worth £300 per year - will be introduced, part of a package of support that will be delivered over the course of this Scottish Parliament term. The package will include adding additional entitlements and rewards to the Young Scot national entitlement card for 11 to 18 year old carers.
The new Carers Act came into effect in April enshrining the rights of carers in law for the first time and placing a duty on local councils to provide support to carers. Over the next five years we’ll build on this and will consider a national or regional approach to supporting carers and cared-for people, including the availability of short breaks for carers and how they can be guaranteed.
The SNP government has invested around £135 million in programmes to support carers – which is more than ever before.
This includes funding voluntary-run short breaks and projects like the Young Carers Festival.
We are encouraging employers to better support carers in their workforce through the Carer Positive scheme.
In 2014 the SNP government introduced the scheme, which is run by Carers Scotland and has now signed up 90 employers covering 300,000 staff.
One of the biggest challenges of being a carer is how isolating it can be so I would encourage local carers to make themselves aware of the support that is available through the PKAVS Carers Hub.
They support over 1000 unpaid carers in Perth and Kinross and all their services aim to improve the lives of carers through practical and emotional support, advocacy, training and information about services, rights and benefits.
If you are a carer get in touch with them through the Gateway in North Methven Street and see what they can do for you. Roseanna says carers do an incredible job