Do you think the government really care about improving the lives of carers?

[AngryFromManchester]

and do you really think they understand the hardship we face?

This is not a woe is me thread, really, because I am not of the opinion that I should be supported entirely by the government but actually I do feel we often need alot more support than we are given.

I had my child when I was 21 and unluckily that child was severely disabled. I had a fairly good job and was working towards further qualifications but because of the undiagnosed nature of my childs condition, I had to give up work and have only worked part time since. A few years ago I decided/realised that unless I got more qualifications I would be stuck in a poorly paid minimum wage job for, forever. The implications of the type of work I do (retail) is that it is tiring, you risk further injury, etc etc and I feel/felt I could not pursue this job/career forever. So I enrolled on a uni course in order to try and better myself (and then pay into the governments tax pot!) The first thing that happens is they take your CARERS ALLOWANCE OFF YOU. You are working more hours in a part time employment, caring AND doing extra qualifications and they take that help off you. Because I am married I get no help towards childcare either. What I get is a standard loan and the cost childcare, travel etc etc to uni is just bloody crippling. On top of this you have to pay full fees.

WHY is there not more help to help carers retrain or gain further qaulifications? Sure, I am married atm so I am supported but I were to divorce I would HAVE TO live completely off the state. Surely some supported allowance to help carers retrain is a sensible thing? Or are we just destined to care for the rest of our lives?

I do not resent the caring at all and I don't resent the maintenance loan I get either, I am grateful for it. I just wonder where the support for us comes from?

(This has turned into a woe is me thread )

I thin kmorally they probably do,most peopledo think that carers have a different set of needs to the average and that ability to self support is somewhat limited.

However I think it comes down to maths: Carer'sAllowanceis £53 or whatever a week, afoster carer for adisabled child is severaltimesthat.

Providing childcare,respite etc is expensive.

It is in their interests if they 'manage'carers, keeping them (us) at home with no realprospects and just enough support that we don't throw our kids at them and scream take them away.

And I don'tthink that will ever change, tbh. The Grrens have the citizenswage idea which is probably the best way to provide benefits, but the basic maths willalways win.