Caring for Carers

Caring for Carers

There are 272,000 unpaid carers before COVID hit our shores. Many in their 80/70/60 have been caring all of their lives for loved ones; being financially starved, plus not getting a full state pension. We are proposing a motion for carers who are unpaid, also known as informal carers by the health trusts. Unpaid carers save the NI executive the equivalent to the health budget for all of Northern Ireland, according to a Carers NI report, Valuing Carers 2015 – the rising value of carers’ support.

We call on conference to demand recognition of the informal caring work force and campaign for:

• Carers obtaining a living wage;
• Carers allowance being raised to £200 per week;
• Carers being recognised & being able to obtain flexibility in the workplace.
• Bring carers workforce, into the professional arena, like social workers, nurses, classroom assistants & nursery assistant.
• Specialist help with the different syndromes requiring support.
• All carers should be receiving a ‘Carers Card’ to give discounts on food etc.