Wednesday 13 February 2013, Guardian Society published an article by the broadcaster Jo Whiley arguing for improved provision of short breaks for family carers,
Jo cited on the experiences of her family in caring for her own sister. “It’s no surprise then that eight in 10 family carers who, like my parents, care for loved ones with a learning disability have told Mencap that they have reached a moment of emotional and physical crisis, where they feel they can’t go on, because they don’t get enough breaks. This is the same number that had reached this point 10 years ago, when Mencap launched its first Breaking Point report.”
Jo cited especially the failure of recent Government measures: “The government recognised that family carers needed more short breaks and invested £1.2bn into these services for children and adults. But Mencap’s research shows that this money was not actually spent on the support that families desperately need – in fact, councils across England have cut these services. It is harrowing and completely unacceptable that people who dedicate their lives to caring for a vulnerable member of their family are not getting enough support to continue doing it.“
Jo is a celebrity ambassador for Mencap and is supporting that charity’s Breaking Pointcampaign for families in need of short breaks.