Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the publication of the Scottish Government’s new five year strategies for supporting carers and young carers which will see £5 million invested in providing respite opportunities. For the first time, the Scottish Government has published a separate strategy for young carers, recognising the unique challenges they face.
The strategy includes increasing investment on training for carers, giving greater priority to carers’ own health and establishing a Carers Rights Charter.
Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:
“The immense contribution that carers make to the wellbeing of their loved ones is something that cannot be underestimated or applauded highly enough. It is often an extremely challenging and demanding task and as a society we owe it them to ensure that as much support for carers as possible is in place.
“This new strategy will help shape that support for the next five years and I welcome its publication. The funding for respite care in particular is particularly welcome and will help to relieve some of the pressures carers face in their own lives.
“The fact that there is now a separate strategy in place for young carers is an important recognition of the specific challenges that they face. This is an important development for carers in Banff & Buchan and I am optimistic that it will help ease some of the enormous burden on unpaid carers.”
Details of the Scottish Government’s carers strategies can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/07/23153304/0
Karen Adam is now the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast
