Help Find Ealing's Hidden Carers

Many don't know their entitlements

Ealing Carers’ Centre are asking the public to help find local carers who have been missing out on the support they are entitled to. Look out for the ‘Make someone’s day’ leaflets, available from stands touring the borough throughout the week.

In the UK there are 6.5 million people caring unpaid for an ill, frail or disabled family member or friend. These people are called ‘carers’ but they would probably say “I’m just being a husband, a wife, a mum, a dad, a son, a daughter, a friend or a good neighbour.”

We’ll be asking members of the public to think if they know someone in this situation. They might be juggling their caring responsibilities with work and/or bringing up a family, or they may be living alone with the cared-for person, unable to lead much of a life outside the home. They might even be keeping quiet about their situation, for fear of interference by officials.

“Too many carers are unaware there is free, independent support available,” says Cecilia Coleshaw, manager of Ealing Carers’ Centre. “The centre is a great starting point, providing anything from a sympathetic ear, to help with benefits claims, as well as information on all the other local organisations that support carers.”

Don’t let a carer you know miss out. Make their day - by giving them a leaflet, or simply putting them in touch with the Carers’ Centre: 020 8840 1566 or carers@ecil.org.

12th June 2013