#RealCarersWeek

By Sandra Webster, National Co-Spokesperson for Scottish Socialist Party

This week the world has circled round the sun for another 52 weeks and it is again time for Carer’s week. It is a time when what carers do is celebrated. It usually has a theme and this year it is Carer friendly communities. If all communities were so it would be a good thing as they would be a bett

It was Thatcher who announced the death of society in the eighties. It was a return to the philosophy of Locke and Hobbes where the premise was there was suspicion among neighbours. Thatcher’s message had a deeper meaning though the end of public services which we hold so dear and depend on. Thatche

Being a carer has changed my life. I hope I am a more considerate person. I have learned so much for other carers. We and those we care for are not “benefit units” but an active part of our community. Thatcher’s prediction was wrong. Society is alive and kicking from parents setting up support group

Being a carer like many others has also affected my health. This week some of us are using the hash tag #RealCarersWeek and sharing glimpses of our lives. One thread was about the impact on ourselves and how we have to cancel medical appointments even surgery. Our lives are fragile and we need flexi

Many services such as day centres have been closed. The Scottish Government is bringing in Self Directed Support. This is an amazing thing for some carers I know but for others it places an added burden of employing and managing staff. The Care Tax which is taken off before you receive self direct s

We stand with people with disabilities in the call to end austerity but we will always be there to offer the highest quality care without charge because we care for those we support. The last day of Carer’s week on Sunday will be a rally against austerity called by Black Triangle and I know many of