Caring magazine 46 Caring July 2017 | Page 13

Campaign with us: carersuk.org/intheplan Part of the plan A lot can change in five years Caring can be very unpredictable. Over the next few years some of us will find our caring roles end or diminish. For some of us, caring may intensify, or new caring roles begin. For all of us, there will be some change in our own circumstances or in the people we’re caring for. However caring affects you, we’re here. Steph Nimmo’s story, which frames Carers UK ‘s vision for 2021, shows how unpredictable caring can be. If you simply need to draw on support from fellow carers or expert advisers, that’s what we’re here for. We hope being a member helps sustain you. If you’re able to take action, big or small, then you can help to move us all closer to a world where carers feel valued and supported. Where the care we provide is not taken for granted. We can’t do it without you. Greater understanding Over the past half-century we’ve won some important rights together, but there’s so much further still to go. Recently we’ve had to battle to protect hard-won rights as well as trying to break new ground so we can look after someone without putting our own lives on hold. Olga Budimir used Carers Week to talk directly with James Frith MP and other MPs about the challenges carers are facing There can be a big difference between the fresh commitments we’ve seen in party manifestos and real actions that make a positive difference in our lives. So it’s vital we seize the moment to ensure that recognition and support for carers is high on the Government’s agenda. We will need your support in the battle for care services that are there when we need them, for an NHS that supports us, for financial security and for the ability to combine work and care if we choose to. We’re campaigning for funding for carers’ breaks to be increased and protected, because far too many of us are still struggling to take any time away from our caring roles. This can’t go on. Take action now Get involved in our work on carers’ breaks (see p16) By 2021, we want a world where we can all look after loved ones without putting our own lives on hold. @carersuk /carersuk “it’s vital we seize the moment to ensure that recognition and support for carers is high on the Government’s agenda” 13