PPC Sally Morgan Speaks Out for Volunteers and Carers

1.48.21pm GMT Tue 3rd Mar 2009

'The third sector' is local government speak for the voluntary sector. Personally I find that phrase rather irritating. Without volunteers our society would be in deep trouble. The fact that someone is willing to volunteer their time and resources for the good of others with no reward other than seeing positives for their community should be applauded. Those 200 or so young boys and girls who play football every Saturday and Sunday in Bovey Tracey would not be doing so if it were not for the volunteers who run the clubs and teams. Nor would the Scout hut occupy a corner of the park in Bovey and be the venue for activities and fun for our young people who go to Rainbows, Brownies, Cubs, Scouts, and Guides etc… The list is endless and there are countless organisations in our community that do so much good work, in fact I'd go as far as to say that they are the backbone of the community.

We sometimes take for granted the good work that people do as they are so much a part of the 'system' and we forget that they receive no financial payment for the hard work they do. But then not all payments are 'financial' and some rewards go deeper.

There's no doubt that the reliance on charities, voluntary groups and organisations has increased and is likely to do more so as the 'credit crunch' bites.

Unsung Heroes

There is one group in particular that would probably not call themselves volunteers, even though they do their job for free and without them the NHS and Social Services would collapse.

They are Carers. People young and old who find themselves being the carer and support for a family member or loved one - or in the case of some young carers, the 'parent' of their siblings and own parents.

One of my roles at County Hall is 'Carers Champion'. It is a role that is extremely humbling and I regularly feel that I do not do it justice. I meet with people from all over the County and of all ages whose role in life is to care for someone other than themselves under difficult and often heartbreaking circumstances. We try to make sure that Carers needs are catered for and that they get the support and help they need but it will never be enough.

Often, the level of support they receive depends on the condition of the cared for person. For Carers of Cancer patients there is more support than for someone with Alzheimer's and again, the amount of financial support received, either in benefits or in kind depends on the condition of the cared for person. Alzheimer's is still not treated as a condition that receives full nursing care - which would be free from the NHS. Instead, the tab for care falls in the lap of the family - an extra burden, when coping with the illness is bad enough.

I confess to sometimes finding my role frustrating when I am faced with courageous people who often want nothing more than respite and I feel so powerless to help. I read the papers and watch the news and see billions of pounds being used to prop up financial institutions and the livelihoods of big time gamblers who will probably have not learned their lesson and are doing it all over again - but this time with taxpayers' money! Consider also the fact that when a Carer qualifies for their state pension they lose their Carers Allowance just when they need it the most! Who is more deserving?!

There are probably people who are reading this who are Carers. Often the role can creep up on a person without them noticing. It only really becomes apparent when there is a crisis - as happened with my Mother when my father was ill.

There is support and some help out there and it is important to get as much as possible before crisis point is reached. I've been involved in the 'I care so who cares' campaign run by the County Council to increase awareness of Carers in the community. There is support through the Carers Link and the opportunity to network and talk to others who are in a similar predicament. It will never be enough, but it may help a little.

If you think you are a Carer or know someone who is then call me and I can put you in touch with someone. Tel 07811 825707.

(This is an edited version of an article that first appeared in The Cottage (Nov 2008))