Growing number of Carers are having to seek help and support
Frontline. What do we normally envisage when we hear or see that word? Well it is almost certainly different than maybe four months ago. Rather than troops on the frontline of war or terrorism, we now immediately think of Carers.
Carers in the NHS wards and theatres, Carers in beleaguered residential care homes, Carers at home looking after kids, elderly parents or other vulnerable members of our families. The added pressures of keeping our family and friends safe from this destructive Coronavirus, is a stressor on top of plenty of other things. The threat of catching the virus is bad enough but now it is exacerbated with concerns about redundancies and possible further austerity.
We all need to join that frontline in fighting for these heroes. Trade unionists and politicians need to come together and raise our game, campaigning and fighting harder to protect them against these latest hazards and risks. Many of these Carers are women. Most are low paid and overworked with fragile work security.
Disturbingly a growing number of Carers are having to seek help and support from domestic abuse since the onset of the crisis. Violent incidents, including physical and mentally abusive attacks have increased dramatically and help-lines are over stretched and counsellors are in huge demand. Some numbers here might help.
National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247. Run by Women’s Aid and Refuge.
National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 999 5428
Men’s Advice Line 0808 801 0327
Continuing the theme of highlighting stressors faced by women in particular the GMB North West & Irish region are proud of the training and campaigning we have put in place over the last two years, in relation to women’s health and safety. Our Understanding Menopause courses and briefings have been welcomed and heavily subscribed to. We are now delighted to announce our support for a really worthwhile organisation Pausitivity, who are campaigning to get their information sheets and posters into every GP and Medical Centre in the UK. Run by a small group of women it’s aims are identical in many ways with the GMB, to raise awareness of what impact the Menopause can have on all women and to gain support for anyone affected. We will distribute leaflets in three languages to branches for inclusion on workplace notice boards and have just put a short briefing about the Menopause and our campaign, on this website in our training slot and would recommend it to all our members.
Legislation covering Women’s health and safety is scarce and we need to understand and tackle the issues, including everything we have covered in this blog. This is a small, but important step towards doing that.
Neil Smith
Regional Political Officer
GMB Trade Union
