New lifelong learning resource a lifeline for carers

Before I started learning I used to sit and watch the television all day. I didn’t go out a lot, and when I did join something I didn’t stick at it because I didn’t have any confidence. Learning has given me the freedom to think about my future instead of staying home and thinking that I can’t do this. I feel that now I am at last doing something positive and useful with my life. (Niama, lone parent of two children with disabilities).

A new partnership designed to give a fresh new outlook and renewed confidence to carers throughout England will be launched by Carers UK and the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) at an event in London on Tuesday 16 November 2004. The two organisations expect the partnership to result in carers having greater interest in lifelong learning, providing them with wider choices and opportunities.

Their first step is a new information resource, ’Carers and Learning’, intended to encourage carers to think about themselves, and the stimulating benefits of further learning. The booklet, which will also be web-based, helps carers choose their most suited courses. It tells them where to go for information, where they can get funding and how alternative care arrangements can be made. Carers UK and NIACE will be promoting the leaflet through professionals working in social care.

Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said, Caring is often an isolating task and can take its toll on carers. In providing round-the-clock care, they have little time for themselves. As carers’ experiences show, taking up new courses can be a lifeline, improving carers’ quality of life by increasing their self-esteem. Others have been able to return to work as a result. We are delighted that this partnership between Carers UK and NIACE has arisen out of our work through a project, ’Action for Carers and Employment’, which seeks to break down the barriers to work for carers. Alastair Thomson, Senior Development Officer at NIACE, said, NIACE is delighted to be working in partnership with Carers UK. We are determined to improve access to learning opportunities for anyone who faces barriers. Carers are a group of people who face such barriers on a day-to-day basis. This partnership is all the more timely because of the success of Dr Hywel Francis’ Private Member’s legislation, which will give more rights, information and support to carers across the country. Ultimately we hope all carers will be able to maximise the many benefits there are to learning and enable them to have a life beyond their caring responsibility.

The partnership is one of the first initiatives to come out of the new Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004, popularly known as Sam’s Bill, which received Royal Assent on 22 July. The Bill was introduced by Dr Hywel Francis, MP for Aberavon in memory of his son, Sam, and will come into force on 1 April 2005. The legislation will ensure that people with caring responsibilities receive equal treatment when it comes to access to lifelong learning and employment opportunities.

Copies of the booklet are available from 16 November and can be downloaded from various websites including www.carersuk.org and www.acecarers.org.uk and hard copies can be ordered free via Carers UK’s publications hotline: 020 7566 7617