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Carers Rights Day 2006 - Friday 8th December
On Friday December 8th Carers UK is holding their annual Carers Rights Day to raise awareness of the needs of carers, increase take up of benefits and to make sure carers know their rights:
Increase take up of benefits
Estimates suggest that 40-60% of disability benefits go unclaimed. There are no firm statistics on the take up of carers’ benefits but it is estimated that £660 million of carers' benefits goes unclaimed each year.
Make sure carers know their rights
Every year, more than 2 million people become carers for the first time.Those new to caring need straightforward and accessible information about their entitlements. Time after time carers say they need clear information and this is what Carers’ Rights Day is about.
Guide carers towards practical support
Access to practical support can be vital in maintaining carers’ health and well-being and can help to ensure that they are not isolated and socially excluded. This might include time off, help with lifting and bathing, equipment or adaptations to the home or access to leisure activities for their disabled son or daughter.
Raise awareness of the needs of carers
Carers want the same life chances that other people enjoy - good health, financial security, the right to a family life, opportunities to work and pursue their own interests. But the reality for many carers is vastly different.Carers Rights Day raises awareness of the needs of carers with policy makers and professionals.
Ten facts about caring
1. One in eight (1 in 8) adults are carers... around six million people
2. Carers save the economy £57 billion per year, an average of £10,000 per carer
3. Over 3 million people juggle care with work
4. The main carer's benefit is £46.95 for a minimum of 35 hours, equivalent to £1.34 per hour
5. 1.25 million people provide over 50 hours of care per week
6. People providing high levels of care are twice as likely to be permanently sick or disabled
7. Over 1 million people care for more than one person
8. 58% of carers are women and 42% are men
9. By 2037 the number of carers could have increased to 9 million
10. Every year over 2 million people become carers
For a list of events click here
Carers UK homepage