'Carers make an immense contribution to Northern Ireland and deserve better than a welfare system that systematically traps them in poverty.' Craig Harrison of Carers NI writes for Pivotal Platform. pivotalppf.org/our-work/pivot…

“It just so outrageous, really, that they choose to persecute a frail, sick old woman for what to them is a relatively small amount' Carer's fury as DWP forces 92 year old with dementia to repay £7,000 in disability benefits. via Josh Halliday theguardian.com/society/2024/a…

I wrote my MA dissertation about this in 2005. It is incredible (in a sad way) that we are really not very far forward in opening up accessibility

This is vital. And the truth, that we have collectively got to a point where we promote a soulless, one-size-fits-all package of managed care model over Direct Payments, because they are administratively easier, is an utterly shameful place for us all as public servants to be.

Really good & co-produced take on the worrying decline of direct payments after they offered such promise for self-direction in #socialcare

Exciting news! Our article, co-authored with Jon Glasby , detailing insights from our survey shaping IMPACT's design, is now published in the Care & Caring Jnl ! It's open access, so dive in and discover the foundation of our work! bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journals/…

Thanks to Daniel McCrossan MLA 🕊 for highlighting during yesterday's Assembly debate on fuel poverty that:

❌ 31% of unpaid carers are cutting back on essentials like heating, rising to 42% among those on Carer's Allowance
❌ 18% of carers can't afford their utility bills

1/2

'Alison McGovern says UK would ‘grind to a halt’ without unpaid carers and confirms party will review system if it wins power'
theguardian.com/society/2024/a…

'Carer’s allowance: let’s end this scandal now!'

Our Director, Sue Yeandle commented on the #carersallowance scandal, brought to light in The Guardian last week:
centreforcare.ac.uk/commentary/202…
Economic and Social Research Council Social Sciences | The University of Sheffield

'Something has gone very wrong here': Labour leader Keir Starmer weighs in on the carer's allowance repayment scandal theguardian.com/politics/2024/…

There's a buzz in the Sheffield office today!

We have Tiina Sihto visiting from Faculty of Social Sciences, HelsinkiUni to present work to the team and Obert Tawodzera from IMPACT Uni of Birmingham has just finished a great Tech & Care session!

Lovely to have you both here!
Social Sciences | The University of Sheffield Economic and Social Research Council

There's still time to register for our online Expert-led Technology and Care session, tomorrow with Obert Tawodzera, follow this link and please share with your networks:
centreforcare.ac.uk/updates/2024/0…

'It’s beyond high time for reform. It’s a public outrage deserving immediate attention. Government and Opposition parties must all now commit to ending this scandal and to giving carers the fair deal they so richly deserve.'

'Carer’s allowance: let’s end this scandal now!'

Prof. Sue Yeandle comments on the recent The Guardian articles on #CarersAllowance , providing context and highlighting the need for much overdue reform.

Read the piece here:
centreforcare.ac.uk/commentary/202…
#UnpaidCarers #socialcare
Economic and Social Research Council