Cilla wows carers and politicians at House of Commons event

Cilla with Tony Baldry MP, new chair of the All-Party Carers Parliamentary Group

Cilla Black was the surprise guest as she joined carers from throughout the UK in the corridors of power at the House of Commons. Speaking at a special Parliamentary Carers Week event, the iconic pop and TV legend spoke about her own experience as a carer and pledged her support to the UK’s six million carers.

Cilla said:
 
"When you're a carer your life is often not your own. Caring can be very rewarding, it can also be very difficult. I know, as I cared for my husband Bobby until he lost his fight with cancer in 1999. Yet there are people, and groups who are there to help carers have a life of their own."

Cilla was joined on the stage by 51 year old Carol Mealing, from Brighton, East Sussex. Carol gave up her job as a Director of a multi-national financial services company to care willingly and lovingly for her physically-disabled husband Andy, who almost died during an emergency operation 6 years ago. Carol said: 

“It’s a massive upheaval losing your financial independence. And you’re treated differently – being seen as ‘just’ a carer is very frustrating. People need to know that anyone can become a carer, at any time. Overnight my life was turned on its head.”

The event was chaired by Sushil Radia from national charity, Counsel and Care. He said:

"Today is an opportunity to remind the coalition government of the harsh realities faced by the UK’s six million carers. Most are happy to care, but they also want 'a life of their own' - to be able to do just some of the things that people who do not have caring responsibilities take for granted. It is vital that the progress made in supporting and recognising carers is not lost."

The Carers Week event, sponsored by Skills for Care and Skills for Health, was at full capacity with Ministers and politicians from all parties showing their support. 

Carers used the opportunity to speak directly to the new Minister for Care Services, Paul Burstow MP, and to other politicians, about changes that could improve carers’ lives for the better. They underlined to those in power what life is really like, caring for a loved one or friend.