Stephen Morgan MP has paid tribute to care providers in Portsmouth as the city marks Carers Week.
The City MP met with a range of local care providers on Friday, to thank them for their efforts in supporting some of society’s most vulnerable.
Mr Morgan visited Portsmouth Carers Centre, which provides support and advice to local care givers, to meet with local carers taking part in the centre’s ‘Chop Cook Chat’ sessions, a cookery group for those who are either carers or at risk of social isolation.
The Portsmouth MP also met with Portsmouth Alzheimer’s society, to discuss its experiences of the social care system and how it could be improved, particularly regarding the social care workforce.
Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.
According to research from Carers UK, more than 4.6 million unpaid carers are concerned about their physical and mental health and over 2 million carers are worried about their ability to cope financially.
In addition, more care is being provided by unpaid carers than ever before, even more than during the height of the pandemic. The number providing 20+ hours of care per week has risen by 42% across the UK since October 2020, while the number providing more than 50 hours has increased by 30%.
The Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan, said:
“On Carers Week it’s important we recognise and thank our carers for the incredible work they do to support our most vulnerable.
“Many carers are still struggling with the ongoing impact of the pandemic. It is clear from the continued strain on social care services, many of which remain unavailable to carers, combined with the current cost of living crisis, have left carers urgently needing more support.
“It was really useful to meet with the Carers Centre staff and Portsmouth Alzheimer’s Society to learn about their respective challenges and plans to support our carers and thank them for their efforts over this past year.
“I will continue to speak up for the thousands of people providing unpaid care in Portsmouth and across Britain, and push Government to urgently fix our social care system as we emerge from the pandemic.”
