Sarah Gibson MP commits to more support for 7,989 unpaid carers in Chippenham constituency during Carers Week
The Liberal Democrat MP for Chippenham, Sarah Gibson, has pledged to support 7,989 unpaid carers living in the Chippenham constituency over the course of this Parliament.
Ms Gibson made the pledge during a Parliamentary reception on the 8th of October, which was hosted by the Liberal Democrats and organised by Carers UK and other Carers Week charities, including Age UK, Carers Trust, Motor Neurone Disease Association, The ME Association, Oxfam GB, Rethink Mental Illness, and The Lewy Body Society. The Liberal Democrats are joining these organisations in calling on the Government to develop a new National Carers Strategy – the first in 16 years – to ensure that all carers get the support they need.
At the event, Ms Gibson met with unpaid carers to hear about and better understand their experiences of caring, how carers can be better identified and recognised, and the support they urgently need.
Data provided by Carers UK confirms that in the constituency of Chippenham:
- There are 7989 unpaid carers
- 2192 of these provide more than 50 hours of care a week
- 2192 unpaid carers in Chippenham describe their health as “not good”
Liberal Democrat MP for Chippenham, Sarah Gibson, said:
“Over the last few months, I have met many full time unpaid carers who are struggling to look after themselves, never mind their loved ones. They provide essential support to family members and friends, often without any respite. The care they provide is invaluable.
“It is so important that their efforts are properly recognised and that they get the help they need to stay well themselves, whilst enabling them to care safely for their loved ones.
“That is why I have pledged to stand up for over 7,989 unpaid carers in my constituency and back the call for more Government action in support of all carers, including the development of a new National Carers Strategy.”