Carers say their career prospects are being affected, UK

Main Category: Caregivers / Homecare
Article Date: 16 Jun 2005 - 14:00 PDT

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Almost two-thirds (65%) of the UK's six million unpaid carers believe their career prospects have been affected because of their caring responsibilities, according to the results of a new survey released today to mark the start of Carers Week 2005 (June 13-19).

The survey, which canvassed the views of more than 2,900 UK carers - people who look after a friend, partner or relative due to illness, frailty or disability - also showed that an alarming 74% of carers currently in paid employment use their annual leave when they need time off because of their caring responsibilities.

Carers need more flexible working arrangements and the results revealed that an encouraging 70% of carers in paid employment have employers with flexible working practices.

Paul Matz, Carers Week Manager, says 'The difficulties that carers face in balancing work and caring are vividly demonstrated by the finding that two out of three carers believe their career prospects have been adversely affected as a result of their caring responsibilities.

'The fact that so many carers also have to use annual leave to carry out their caring role is also very worrying, although it's pleasing to hear that an increasing number of employers have flexible working arrangements for carers.

'Every carer deserves the opportunity to have a fulfilling life of their own - whether through work, study or leisure activities, and they need the right support and help to be able to do that. The new Carers Act, just implemented in April, gives every carer the right to an assessment of their own needs by their local authority so we hope that, as a result, more carers will receive the help they need.'

Carers Week is an annual event organised jointly by seven UK-wide charities; Carers UK, Crossroads Caring for Carers, Help the Aged, Macmillan Cancer Relief, MS Society, Rethink and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers - to raise awareness of carers and the issues that affect them.

Thousands of events will be taking place this week to reach out to carers in local communities and give them advice on the help and support that is available to them.

The week is supported by a number of high-profile celebrities including TV personalities Graham Norton, Cilla Black, Esther Rantzen, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Gloria Hunniford, actresses Sheila Hancock, Pam Ferris and Miriam Margolyes and actor David Jason.

For further information about Carers Week contact Claire Boyes on 01883 382712 or cbpr@uk2.net.

Find out more about Carers Week.

http://www.macmillan.org.uk

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