Improving support for carers
Why is this important?
Improving support for carers is a key policy priority for the
Parkinson's Disease Society (PDS). Carers of people with
Parkinson's can face significant challenges getting the support and
information they need.
Our
2008 members' survey found that only a third of carers
were aware of their right to a carer's assessment and only 11% were
getting help from their local social services.
Take action
Write to your local MP to ask them to support Carers Week 2009
Anne McGuire MP has tabled an Early Day Motion in support of
Carers Week 2009 (8-14 June). You
can ask your MP to sign
Early Day Motion 1355
Early Day Motions are formal statements tabled by MPs to draw
attention to specific events or campaigns. Other politicians then
add their signature to the motion to show their support.
Find your MP
on the UK Parliament website and write to or email them. Our
sample letter (Word,
25KB) may help you.
For more information, contact Dave Clark at campaigns@parkinsons.org.uk
or call 020 7963 9307.
Sign the Carers Poverty Charter
Carers UK has launched a campaign to reform carers' benefits and
end carer poverty and is calling for people to sign up to
support the Carers Poverty Charter. This will be presented to
government and political parties later this year.
Add your support to the Carers Poverty Charter
What the PDS is doing
Carers Week 2009
The Parkinson's Disease Society has become a member of the Carers
Week Coalition for the first time in 2009. Carers Week is taking place from 8 to 14
June.
Responding to government consultations
The Parkinson's Disease Society responds to government and other
consultations likely to affect carers.
View the PDS
response to the government consultation on the future of care
services in England – November 2008 (84KB)
View
the PDS response to the Welfare Reform Green Paper 'No one written
off' in PDF - October 2008 (86KB)
View the PDS response to the Work and Pensions Select
Committee Inquiry into carers – April 2008
Download the PDS response to
the Scottish Government consultation on respite care in PDF -
January 2008 (60KB)
Further information
For information about the support currently available to carers
please visit the advice section of this
website, or download our Carer's
Guide (PDF, 3.9MB)
Have your say
The PDS website forum includes a
Carers, friends and family forum, a chance for you to talk to
other carers about your experiences and share your views about the
issues that matter to you.
Contact us
If you are a carer and would like to make your views known, please
email campaigns@parkinsons.org.uk
or write to:
Social Policy and Campaigns team
Parkinson's Disease Society
215 Vauxhall Bridge Road
London SW1V 1EJ
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