marea cook

Care and support should never depend on unpaid carers endlessly re-explaining the most painful parts of their lives to new professionals. That isn’t continuity — it’s re-traumatisation and the fear of being misunderstood. #brokensystem #socialcare

@drsitu @wadhamoxford Can I ask if you have managed to get into Blackwell’s? Do you find the access arrangements there satisfactory ?

To everyone who says making heritage buildings accessible is impossible—think again! The administration at @wadhamoxford College, Oxford, proves that where there’s a will, there’s a way. #Accessibility & history can go hand in hand—watch me ride this stairlift along w/ scooter

Relatives are holding up social care - and we are breaking @Keir_Starmer @wesstreeting

@Trump_ton @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte

We don't want a state visit, or any visit, from the flambéed fascist, but if he does visit the UK, you know what to do ... #ShowYourRumpToTrump

"Research shows that autistic professionals can be up to 140% more productive than their neurotypical peers when properly matched to roles that align with their strengths." What roles are available in your church for those affected by disabilities? forbes.com/sites/jennifer…

Too often, the lives of disabled people are defined and circumscribed by others whose lives are defined by ableism.

“If you are not disabled and you regularly go to a yoga class, a book group or just the pub, when was the last time you did so with even a single disabled adult present?” Thanks to @johnharris1969 for being one of the rare columnists to ask these Qs. theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

Please share. Keep it going ❤️🛌 gofund.me/7416ed44

Unpaid carers haven’t just come on shift when they arrive at the hospital, it’s likely they’ve had no sleep or limited sleep for days, weeks or years. They will be exhausted, physically & mentally. There should always be a fold down bed for them gofund.me/aa3ce098

Just short of enough for six fold down beds for unpaid carers to be able to sleep/rest when in hospital caring for their relative Please share and help if you can. gofund.me/7416ed44

If you would like to help provide a camp bed for an unpaid carer to sleep on, instead of on the hospital floor or a windowsill, you can. gofundme.com/f/beds4unpaidc… Thank you #unpaidcarers @wesstreeting

@RachelAdamSmith @Keir_Starmer Have forwarded your excellent piece to @LaylaMoran who chairs the parliamentary committee currently reviewing health and social care @CommonsHealth They would do well to hear more from you. Thinking of you, also on duty today. Best wishes.

When I was little and I couldn’t sleep my mum used to say to me, think of all those working at night, nurses, doctors, firefighters, she did not say, think of all the unpaid carers”. Have a read and a think @Keir_Starmer My Christmas blog racheladamsmith.com/post/think-of-…

⁦@LaylaMoran⁩ ⁦@CommonsHealth⁩ Please consider this account of the work of an unpaid carer and the impact of the role on our health and wellbeing. Input from a range of unpaid carers (not just carers charities) is vital to your understanding racheladamsmith.com/post/think-of-…

Yes! This! 👇 Thank you @chrismccausland Society is all the poorer when so many are denied opportunity and support. This message is so important. Please please keep speaking it.

@RachelAdamSmith When an unpaid carer has to pay for the Covid booster this year, something tells you the government really doesn’t care … working 90+ hrs p/wk at 91p p/hr means working 108 hours to pay for the booster

When a first class stamp is nearly double the allowance an unpaid carer receives an hour, something tells you the government really doesn’t care if the allowance doesn’t match up to the cost to living anymore 47% of unpaid carers work 90 + hrs p/wk that’s 91 p/hr

It’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and we’re affirming our commitment to breaking down barriers to opportunity for disabled people. #IDPwD

“As someone who relies on the state for my survival, I have a healthy distrust of giving it any more power over my life than it already has. Though some people want the right to die, many of us are still fighting for the right to exist.” @thelizcarr 🔥 theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

@dave43law @MarinaPurkiss

Crying 🤣🤣

@KaraChrome @RachelAdamSmith @bbcstrictly No - checked with the GP and different carers organisations. The rules are very clear. Unpaid carers are not included this year. Since I can’t afford to be ill, I am forced to pay up @wesstreeting

@MareaCook @RachelAdamSmith @bbcstrictly Double check? I got the vaccine as a carer. Wasn't asked if I was paid or unpaid? If your local area is being silly (& not a true solution) cd see if the Novavax jab is being offered in your area - it's around £45, which is still £45 more than it should be, but better than £98.

Would ❤️ to take my daughter who adores @bbcstrictly to see the tour but event prices have become unaffordable for many #unpaidcarers Experiences like this would really help many with LD but an allowance of £81.90 isn’t sufficient for every day life let alone events such as this