Care duties force many to stop work

More than half of all carers have either given up their jobs or
work fewer hours because of their caring responsibilities, the
largest ever survey into carers’ employment and skills has
revealed.

The report by Carers’ Advice and Resource Establishment, Sandwell
(Cares), finds that 63 per cent of carers felt there were barriers
to them developing their skills.

It also reveals that nearly half of all 25- to 40-year-old carers
surveyed felt they needed to learn information technology skills,
while 20 per cent said they needed help form-filling and letter
writing.

Cares won the carers’ category at last week’s Community
Care Awards 2002 (see pages 12-13).

– The Learning and Skills Needs of Carers from 0121 558
7003.