National Volunteering Week highlights hard work of carers - Stunell

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 10th Jun 2003

National Volunteering Week got a boost when local MP, Andrew Stunell, visited Age Concern's Pop In café at Hillgate and their day-care centre in Shaw Heath on Friday. The campaign is aimed at getting better support in the workplace and in the community for carers.

Speaking at the day's celebrations, Andrew Stunell said the 32,000 carers in Stockport deserve better support when they juggle work and home life:

"Without carers, there would be a massive extra demand on the NHS and Social Services. Carers face a high level of stress, often in isolation. Over half of carers continue to work and contribute to the Stockport economy, juggling their different roles with considerable difficulty."

The main problem faced by carers is a lack of flexibility in the workplace. Day care services are often limited to certain periods of the day, making job search difficult. Weekend and evening support is difficult to get hold of.

Mr Stunell said: "Many carers have told me about the problems of day-care service and lack of funding for replacements and short-term breaks. Not to mention that childcare services frequently do not cater for disabled children."

"Stockport Local Authority can help alleviate their worries by providing a stronger support service. Carers contribute so much through their dedicated and unpaid help. They deserve our unstinting support." ENDS"