In Cumbria, over 56,400 people are unpaid Carers, and many are unaware of the rights and the support available to them to help care for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older.
Today is Carers Rights Day (25 November), which raises awareness of the needs of Carers, and this year’s campaign is focusing on raising awareness of the rights that unpaid carers have. Carers Rights Day 2021 is supported by Barclays LifeSkills
Carers Support Cumbria delivers the Cumbria All Age Carers Contract, working with Eden Carers, West Cumbria Carers, Carers Support South Lakes, Furness Carers and Carlisle Carers to doso.
Dani Leslie of Eden Carers said: “Across Cumbria, we have seen an increase in the number of unpaid Carers, and the pandemic has had a massive impact on the lives of carers, affecting access to services, the ability to juggle work and care and much more. This is why it’s more important than ever that carers are aware of what they have the right to.”
In a recent survey by Carers UK’s of nearly 6,000 Carers, four in five unpaid Carers are now providing more care for relatives, and almost two thirds (63%) have expressed worry about how they will continue to manage over winter.
Debi Marsden, CEO of Carers Support South Lakes said: “Carers need to know their rights wherever they are in their caring journey: whether they are in the workplace, in a healthcare setting, when interacting with professionals or at home.
“Cumbria’s Carer organisations are here to support and provide information to help unpaid Carers so they can feel confident asking for what they need.”
Angela Longrigg of West Cumbria Carers said: “As an unpaid Carer, juggling work and care can be very challenging, so it’s important to understand the rights you have both in law and with your employer.
“Your rights in work come from two sources: your ‘statutory rights’ which everyone has and your contract of employment which gives you ‘contractual rights’ which can be more generous than statutory rights. For example, you can discuss flexible working with your employer, to help balance your work and caring responsibilities.
“Carers have the right to protection from discrimination. If you look after an older or disabled person, the law – under the Equality Act 2010 – protects you against direct discrimination or harassment because of your caring responsibilities. This is because you are counted as being ‘associated’ with someone who is protected by the law because of their age or disability.”
Craig Backhouse, CEO of Furness Carers said: “As local Carer support organisations, we are able to help unpaid Carers access the support available to them, and provide information about their rights.
Many unpaid Carers worry about becoming ill and unable to cope, especially in winter and the flu season. However, if you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person, who may be put at risk if you became ill, you are eligible for a free flu jab. You are also eligible if you’re receiving Carer’s Allowance. If you feel this applies to you, you have the right to request one from your GP surgery or local pharmacist.
“Support and advice are available to unpaid Carers across Cumbria not just on Carers Rights Day but every day of the year.”
If you are an unpaid Carer, your local Carer’s organisation can provide you with information and support. You can contact them by emailing or calling their office:
- Carer Support South Lakes, email: admin@carersupportsouthlakes.org.uk Tel: 01539 815970
- Carlisle Carers email: admin@carlislecarers.co.uk Tel: 01228 542156
- Eden Carers email: enquiries@edencarers.co.uk Tel: 01768 890280
- Furness Carers email: admin@furnesscarers.co.uk Tel: 01229 822822
- West Cumbria Carers email: general@westcumbriacarers.co.uk, Tel 01900 821976
