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| Northallerton carer calls for greater support for unpaid carers | Northallerton carer calls for greater support for unpaid carers |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Rachel cares for her father Michael, who has cancer, and her daughter Lillian who has diabetes | Rachel cares for her father Michael, who has cancer, and her daughter Lillian who has diabetes |
| A mum who quit her job to care for her father and daughter has called on the government to provide better support for carers. | A mum who quit her job to care for her father and daughter has called on the government to provide better support for carers. |
| Rachel, 43, from Northallerton, quit her career in catering after her father, Michael, was diagnosed with terminal cancer eight years ago. | Rachel, 43, from Northallerton, quit her career in catering after her father, Michael, was diagnosed with terminal cancer eight years ago. |
| She moved into his home with her two daughters to care for him – and has warned it would cost the government a lot of money if people like her did not take on caring responsibilities. | She moved into his home with her two daughters to care for him – and has warned it would cost the government a lot of money if people like her did not take on caring responsibilities. |
| A government spokesperson said they recognised the "immense contribution" of unpaid carers and an independent review had been launched into social care. | A government spokesperson said they recognised the "immense contribution" of unpaid carers and an independent review had been launched into social care. |
| Rachel also looks after her two daughters, one of whom has health issues. | |
| "If I'm not there helping out my dad and my daughters, there would be more hospital admissions and it would cost government a lot more," she said. | "If I'm not there helping out my dad and my daughters, there would be more hospital admissions and it would cost government a lot more," she said. |
| "I feel I couldn't take paid employment and still be a carer. | "I feel I couldn't take paid employment and still be a carer. |
| "Thankfully my dad is still with us and his condition is well managed, but his health can fluctuate quickly – that has to be my priority and I can't put that burden on an employer, it wouldn't be fair." | "Thankfully my dad is still with us and his condition is well managed, but his health can fluctuate quickly – that has to be my priority and I can't put that burden on an employer, it wouldn't be fair." |
| Rachel's dad Michael was diagnosed with terminal cancer eight years ago | Rachel's dad Michael was diagnosed with terminal cancer eight years ago |
| Rachel began caring for her dad Michael when her daughter Lillian was a newborn baby and her own mum died suddenly at the age of 61. | Rachel began caring for her dad Michael when her daughter Lillian was a newborn baby and her own mum died suddenly at the age of 61. |
| "At first you just go into survival mode of battling to help him stay alive, so Lillian learnt to walk on the chemo ward," she said. | "At first you just go into survival mode of battling to help him stay alive, so Lillian learnt to walk on the chemo ward," she said. |
| "It became clear my dad had been far too well looked after. He had never used a washing machine nor had to manage a household, so I made the decision that it would be better for me to be there." | "It became clear my dad had been far too well looked after. He had never used a washing machine nor had to manage a household, so I made the decision that it would be better for me to be there." |
| Michael, who is still able to work three days a week, said he felt fortunate to have a professional career. | Michael, who is still able to work three days a week, said he felt fortunate to have a professional career. |
| He said: "We're not financially embarrassed by this, but, equally, Rachel has given up her chances of a career throughout her life. | He said: "We're not financially embarrassed by this, but, equally, Rachel has given up her chances of a career throughout her life. |
| "Hopefully that will be picked up later on. But there's no compensation from the government or acknowledgement." | "Hopefully that will be picked up later on. But there's no compensation from the government or acknowledgement." |
| 'Careers derailed' | 'Careers derailed' |
| According to charity Carents, thousands of people across Yorkshire have cut short their careers to look after their parents. | According to charity Carents, thousands of people across Yorkshire have cut short their careers to look after their parents. |
| A survey of 1,000 carers, conducted by the organisation, claimed 70% had needed to alter their jobs due to caring responsibilities. | A survey of 1,000 carers, conducted by the organisation, claimed 70% had needed to alter their jobs due to caring responsibilities. |
| Carents is a national charity created to support unpaid adult carers, founded by Dr Jackie Gray. | Carents is a national charity created to support unpaid adult carers, founded by Dr Jackie Gray. |
| She said: "Our figures show the staggering scale in which adults are having their careers derailed due to the their caring duties. | She said: "Our figures show the staggering scale in which adults are having their careers derailed due to the their caring duties. |
| "It shouldn't and doesn't have to be this way, and it is vital that there is more support provided to adult carers for them to care alongside their career, rather than in place of it." | "It shouldn't and doesn't have to be this way, and it is vital that there is more support provided to adult carers for them to care alongside their career, rather than in place of it." |
| A government spokesperson said an independent review had been launched into social care to explore the needs of unpaid carers. | A government spokesperson said an independent review had been launched into social care to explore the needs of unpaid carers. |
| They said: "We recognise the immense contribution of carers who selflessly dedicate their time to supporting others. | They said: "We recognise the immense contribution of carers who selflessly dedicate their time to supporting others. |
| "We want families to receive the support they deserve, which is why we have increased the Carer's Allowance earnings threshold by around an additional £2,000 a year – the biggest rise since it was introduced in 1976." | "We want families to receive the support they deserve, which is why we have increased the Carer's Allowance earnings threshold by around an additional £2,000 a year – the biggest rise since it was introduced in 1976." |
| Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. | Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. |