Margot launches Carers Week with visit to Coach House
14th June 2010
A new Carer’s Group has been established by Diana De Souza and colleagues at the Coach House. Carers for young adults with Autism, Aspergers and other special needs are to have a place to meet and receive support every week at the Coach House. Margot attended a fundraising coffee morning in support of the new Carer’s Group on Saturday.
There are an estimated 35,000 carers across the Dudley Borough providing care of an estimated value of more than £100 million. Margot said “One of the great strengths of our area is the number or people who care for others and volunteer; we can all take pride in this great strength and I support Carers Week as a way of acknowledging our debt to the many people who put the lives of others first in this way”
National Carers Week starts today in support of Britain’s six million carers. One in eight adults provide care to disabled, frail or chronically ill family and friends at an estimated saving of £87m to the NHS.
Margot is especially supportive of young carers. There are around 180,000 children under the age of 16 with a caring responsibility. Many of these children are not getting a childhood and whilst most of them would never wish to sacrifice their caring responsibilities more should be done to provide respite so that their education and play does not suffer too much.
Photo: Margot with Diana, Shirley and Rachel at the launch of the Coach House carers group
