David, that’s brilliant.
I’ve been suggesting repeatedly that CA should equate to the minimum wage etc as our current status was Slave. I especially like your education allowance, doing away with the 21 hour rule for carers.
AGREE David
But how to pursuade the government to do that when they know we will do it anyway!
That’s the question.
Any ideas anyone!
The scope for direct action is limited.
What seems to work at the moment is unprofessional looking video case studies showing inadequacy of government response as there seems to be a lack of content for the almost constant covid 19 related programmes. The NHS do it all the time, now the care homes have caught on surely now is our time to try.
The aspirations I listed earlier would at least give us room to make concessions rather than facing continuing outright rejection of rather limited aspirations as seems to be the current strategy.
Longer term we need to disavow the assumption that we will carry on despite how exploited we are. We need to demonstrate that enough is enough and we are willing to walk away if just temporarily.
The Badge issues concerns me.
It’s good that the paid social Carers are being recognised in some form. However I doubt they would wish a badge. Perhaps full PPE, testing and an overdue pay rise.
It also now creates an extra divide between paid and un paid Carers. I have taken on the role of an un paid carer for the past 8 years for our mother of 86 with VasDem and other health issues, because I wish it.
If un paid Carers can’t get their concerns from CA, respite, local authority help addressed now by the Gvt it will never happen and we will be the forever forgotten army.
Also as the Gvt trumpets their announcement of the Badge scheme, people’s attention is not on the horrific daily fatalities, the Gvts lack of early action across the board.
I hope for the best in all.
I just feel we are being left behind again.
David
Re: the assumption of LA’s that we will just carry on regardless.
I am certainly already thinking I am going to explore that option myself after Corona has passed.
They have left it as the only option available to us.
I am more than willing to push that one.
Hi CloudyGal,
I concur that getting all our loved ones through this beyond testing time, to be the first priority for all.
How do you propose to make agencies like Gvt, LA’s etc sit up and take notice of our concerns?
How would any say direct action work? As all of us would be loathed to do that as it would impact on those we care and they know that & take advantage of that fact.
The only reason there has been minimal movement in the paid care workers area, was down to the fact of the human tradegy played out, in mass fatalities in that setting.
I would be interested in any thoughts & initiatives that could improve the forgotten army’s position & that of whom they care for.
Yet I suspect with the Clowns currently in charge, they will only “reactively” act if there is a similar tragedy, within the “Home Caring Setting”
David
Persistence and determination.
I already have supported housing for one of my sons lined up
Just will need to work on the other sons future shortly.
I also made good progress on another area this week too.
But today I am exhausted.
I expect your goals will be slightly different than mine
But to change the treatment of unpaid carers from those above is going to take time and be hard to change peoples attitude.
What plans do you have after the pandemic to get more of what you need?
Hi CloudyGal.
I am happy that you have plans in place for the one son & thoughts for the next step for the other. It must bring you a certain the assurance of mind on a personal level.
My situation is rather different.
At the best of times caring for one with VasDem plus other complex issues is to say the least challenging. Yet one does ones best, no matter what. Thankfully due to the nature of the condition she is largely oblivious to what’s occurring. That is a small blessing.
This whole Virus issue has brought into sharp relief how fragile yet previous life is plus the inadequacies of our system in the UK.
My first wish is to get her through this, pause, take a breath then plan ahead.
I am totally shattered even when I wake to moment I sleep. Part of this is due to the fact the day Carers (3 hours a day) are off due to self isolation. I know they are doing the right thing yet it’s becomes even more of a test.
Plans after this? Apart from going down Downing Street with a flame thrower.
I am not sure yet, just clambering from day to day and once all of this is history that maybe the time to lobby MP’s, LA’s etc.
One things for sure I don’t want a Badge!
Many paid care workers see the badge as an insult, plus it is not a new idea. Was 1st mentioned about a year ago.
On a personal level it reminds me of the “unsung heroes” govts labelled us with. To this day I dislike that phrase. Comes across like a pat on the head and get on with your business. No real action to improve our lives.
x
Hi Rosemary,
The Badge is an insult.
It’s an attempt by this Gvt whom should have done so much more across various Virus issues to attempt belatedly they are doing something!
Given current form they probably won’t be able to produce enough of them anyway just like the other issues from PPE to Ventilators.
I just hope most see this exercise for what it is, an effort to distract from the real issues.
As Carers in all settings, we deserve better than this.
I have just emailed my MP regarding unpaid Carers.
I am starting my own campaign - likely to last three years.
I am just off for a walk but can post a quote or two later.
After some success this week and recently I am spurred into action!
.
Honey Badger
You have nothing to apologise for. It’s how you feel, and you have valid reasons for feeling that way, and I agree with what you have said.
Today, I am feeling frustrated and upset with the government for their handling of this Pandemic.
They did not do enough to prepare .
Years of cuts on the NHS has left it in poor shape which is not going to have helped.
It saddens me greatly that lives have been (and will be) lost needlessly.
I am just hoping that loyal Conservative voters will , after this Pandemic, think more clearly what they are actually voting for.
Badge issue to one side, where it should stay.
I was never a fan of this current Gvt prior to this human disaster. Now I feel a mix of anger & dispair as to how they have completely miss managed the whole issue.
A Gvt that was hell bent on depriving The NHS of funds for the last ten years with adroit hypocrisy pretends now to be its best friend.
I feel the issue of PPE in synopsis illustrates the appalling way this Gvt has acted. Constant promises made that for one reason or another are not kept. In the meantime workers in the NHS and wider health settings are tasked with picking up the pieces born of failure.
Johnson flag waving for the NHS is particularity sickening. For under his Brexit policies a good portion of those fighting for others lives, with one hand behind there back would not be welcome in his Britain.
It’s hypocrisy of the highest degree.
Now we clap for Care workers, and many of those that clap, voted for Johndons policies of division.
After all this ends, we need a better form of all inclusive politics in this country that truly values all.
Very well said. The government is forever talking down to the public, failing to recognise that some of us have a memory of more than 24 hours!