Should charities focus on the big issues or tackle everyday problems?
When Mary Webster gave up the job she loved to care for both her parents, she was shocked to find that she was left with no independent income, no support or information and that she became invisible. She wrote a letter to The Times, detailing her plight that resulted in three sacks of mail being delivered from women just like her – the unmarried daughter expected to provide care. Mary Webster quickly established contacts with politicians and founded our organisation, Carers UK, in the Grand Committee room of the House of Commons! Throughout our 40-year history, we have campaigned for a better deal for carers –- securing the first legislative rights for carers through three successful Private Members’ Bills, now Acts, and the first carers’ income – Carer’s Allowance. More recently, the Big Lottery has funded our work to help carers understand how decision making locally works and how you can get involved. The results have been stunning. The evaluations show that carers have become more
