A RADIO programme featuring unpaid carers from all over Scotland picked up a major prize at a recent radio awards ceremony.
The 27th Sony Radio Academy Awards presented Edi Stark with the Sony Gold Award prize in the News Special Award category for her programme, entitled, The Investigation: Never Too Old to Care, which was broadcast in December 2008 and May this year.
In the programme, Helena Kelman, carers resource worker at The Princess Royal Trust for Carers’ Lanarkshire Carers Centre, and Jan Wells, manager of the VSA Carers Centre in Aberdeen, spoke about the difficulties unpaid carers have in accessing funding and how little money can be available to them.
In addition, unpaid carers from all over Scotland (including Lanarkshire and Aberdeenshire) spoke about their role, the hardships they have experienced and the bureaucratic difficulties they have encountered while trying to get help.
The carers who spoke included Bill Shanks who, together with his wife, Sheena, cares for his son, Russell. Russell, has cerebral palsy and the Shanks have cared for him all of his life. They are both now in their 70s.
Helena said: “The programme highlighted the difficulties carers face – accessing the services they need, getting money and dealing with their caring role, which is often a full-time job.
“As a thank-you to us, Edi invited the carers who were part of the programme and myself to the BBC studios in Glasgow, which was really interesting and enjoyable for us.
“Taking part in the programme was incredibly worthwhile, as it raised awareness of carers and their issues.”
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Lanarkshire Carers Centre and VSA Carers Centre are affiliated to the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. The Trust is the biggest supporter of unpaid carers in the UK through its network of independently managed carers’ centres, projects for young carers and interactive websites, www.carers.org and www.youngcarers.net
The Network of Carers Centres offer information about all issues affecting carers, including – benefits and carer assessment procedures; emotional support with staff, trained volunteers and other carers; and community consultation to ensure that carers have a strong influence on local policy, planning procedures and outcomes.
Lanarkshire Carers Centre is at 46 Campbell Street, Hamilton ML3 6AS, phone number 01698 428090, and the VSA Carers Centre is situated at 24-28 Belmont Street, Aberdeen AB10 1JH, phone number 01224 646677.
MEDIA RELEASE posted by The Princess Royal Trust for Carers. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Emma Baird
Phone: 0141 285 7938
Email: ebaird@carers.org
Website: http://carers.org
