Carers Week: Burstow announces local Carers Forum to discuss National Strategy

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 12th Jun 2007

Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam, spent Monday morning with Eric Bright, a Cheam carer who cares for his wife Tina, as part of Carers Week, which is taking place from Monday to Friday.

Mrs Bright, 59, suffers from dementia; Mr Bright combines caring for his wife with running his own business. Mr Burstow met the couple and spent time talking to Mr Bright about his experiences and the difficulties faced by those continuing to work while caring for a loved one.

Mr Burstow took the opportunity to announce his plans to host a Carers Forum on July 13th. The Forum - which Mr Burstow is organising in conjunction with the Sutton Carers Centre - will be an opportunity for local carers to give their views on the National Carers Strategy. The Strategy, which was launched in 1999, included a range of measures - from powers for local authorities to provide services directly to carers to financial support for respite breaks.

Eight years later, many carers still suffer poverty, illness and isolation. The review, which was announced in February 2007, seeks to address these problems by conducting a national consultation on changes to the Strategy. Mr Burstow is inviting Sutton's carers to give him their views on changes which would help them by attending the Forum at 10.00am on Friday 13th July at the Sutton Carers Centre.

In addition to his plans for a local forum, last week Mr Burstow was part of a delegation of MPs who met with Education Minister Bill Rammell to raise their concerns about educational opportunities for carers. The group identified 6 barriers which prevented Carers from accessing further education, including lack of awareness of assistance and lack of flexibility in the provision of college courses. Mr Rammell responded positively to the groups recommendations.

Commenting about Carer's Week and plans for the Carers Forum, Paul Burstow MP said:

"Carers, though they may not realise it, are true unsung heroes. Over six million people in the UK - and nineteen thousand here in Sutton - are caring for a relative as I speak."

"With three in five adults set to take on caring responsibilities at some point in their life, it is crucial that we look at the challenges Carers face and seek to support those who voluntarily care for a loved one."

"The ongoing review of the National Carers Strategy provides an opportunity to make real changes to Carer's lives - this is why I am glad to be in a position to bring Sutton's Carers together to discuss what they would like to see from the Strategy."

Chief Officer at the Sutton Carers Centre, Marian Radford said:

"We are delighted that Paul is making this Forum one of his priorities."

"This is a great opportunity for Carers to let Paul know first-hand what changes need to be made at both local & national level to ensure that Carers are fully supported in their role and are not left feeling isolated and marginalized."