Alison Cram

RAISING YOUR HANDS FOR CARERS’ RIGHTS

Of all the many statistics that you can read about carers, there’s always one that stands out for me. One that takes people by surprise, that raises eyebrows, that can make even the most cynical and ignorant commentator stop and think for a moment. The next time that superior ex-colleague, opinionated neighbour or annoying relative rolls their eyes at you, determined to believe you have a cushy number and should really be out doing a proper job, you might want to pull this statistic out of the hat.

Unpaid carers save the Government a whopping £132 billion a year.*

Yes, dear reader, you read that right. £132 billion. That’s the estimate of Carers UK (the respected national charity for carers) and according to their calculations that equates to a saving of £19,336 per carer per year. So I reckon claiming my £4K a year in Carers’ Allowance (plus Carers’ Supplement) still leaves me doing the Government a big favour.

These payments are termed “benefits” (or “hand-outs” in the not-so-immortal words of our last Prime Minister) as if earning a maximum £1.99 an hour were a perk, an added bonus. Words like “allowance” make it sound like some kind of trust fund payout, rather than money that we earn through all that we do for our loved ones. We carry out the same role as paid carers but without the salary, annual leave or recognition (and considering the lack of appreciation that paid carers get, that’s really saying something).

All of which is a roundabout way of saying that none of us should hold back on claiming what we are entitled to or applying for any help that we’re eligible for. We should not be intimidated by the system, put off by the bureaucracy or by the disparaging remarks of those who underestimate what being a carer really means.

We know better.

Just because we are unpaid does not mean we are idle or undeserving - quite the opposite. And the more of us that claim the support we are entitled to the harder it becomes for governments and policy makers to ignore us.

Of course, we don’t do it for the money (now that would just be crazy). But many carers pay a high financial price for caring. I dare not think how much money I’ve lost in earnings in the last nine years and that’s before I factor in the times I’ve had to dip into personal savings. Clawing some of that back from the government (or charities or anyone else who can help) is not being greedy, it’s being practical.

I know some people are reluctant to term themselves “carers”. My late Mum hated that term, believing she was simply being a wife and doing what a wife would do for a husband who needed help. Similarly, sometimes I feel I’m just being a daughter, looking after Dad because he needs me and it’s a small payback for all that he gave me when I was growing up.

Nevertheless, as carers we often have to fulfil responsibilities that the average spouse/partner/child/parent/friend/sibling would not have to do. Dad needs to be washed, dressed, hoisted, fed and helped with all daily activities, as well as managing all the paperwork and co-ordinating all the medical help he requires. 365 days a year. I’m a personal assistant, nutritionist, district nurse, pharmacist, occupational therapist, administrator, counsellor and advocate. Frankly, if the Government paid me what I’m worth they couldn’t afford me.

So if you aren’t claiming any help or if you’re not sure what you might be entitled to, make this year’s Carers Rights Day be the year you check it out.

You’ve earned it.

* https://www.carersuk.org/news-and-campaigns/press-releases/facts-and-figures