Assembly Member backs Carers' Week

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 7th Jun 2008

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Social Justice spokesperson, Peter Black has given his backing to Carers' Week to show support for the thousands of people in Wales who care for dependent relatives and friends.

Mr. Black said:

"I am backing Carers' Week as I have seen at first hand how hard thousands people work to support dependent relatives and friends who suffer with illnesses or conditions which cause them to rely on others.

"One in six people care in some way for another person. That is a huge army, who by their efforts help others to live as normal a life as possible at home, rather than being institutionalised..

"Many carers work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and too often, the contribution they make is not recognised by society generally. For example many carers who attend my surgeries make the point that the benefits system takes little account of the effort they make.

"Carers' Week is essential to highlight the work carers do and to raise awareness amongst the general public of their importance."

Ends

Note for Editors

Carers Week is a partnership of 10 UK-wide charities (Carers UK, Counsel and Care; Crossroads Caring for Carers, Help the Hospices, Independent Age, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Neurological Alliance, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and WRVS) to promote the unpaid work done by the six million people in the UK who support and care for others. Carers Week starts on 9th June and runs until 15th June.