One of the greatest privileges of being a Member of Parliament is the ability to see first-hand the amazing things that people right across our communities are doing to help those who need it – and make our area a better place for everyone to call home.
Some of that is obvious – those organising litter picks, volunteering for community groups, supporting local democracy by running for Council or giving up time to help during election campaigns. But much of it isn’t visible.
This month I met with Carers in Herts – an organisation that supports unpaid carers in our community – and some local carers to hear about the heroic work that local carers do to look after people in our community. Carers can be all ages – including children – and the work that they do is often unheralded. But I think it is the purest form of love and service and it is deeply moving to hear their stories.
I met with them on the day after Carers Rights Day, an annual day designed to raise awareness of support for and the rights of carers. I wholeheartedly support those working so hard to help people who themselves are working hard out of the spotlight to care for their family, friends, neighbours and loved ones. If you are reading this and you are a carer who needs help – please do reach out. There is support out there for you.
Christmas is a good time to reflect on our values. Service – without herald or spotlight. Love – for family, for neighbour, for community. Sacrifice – for the people you love.
I can think of no better embodiment of those values than the carers working day-in, day-out to support people in our communities. So this Christmas, I want to send them a simple message: thank you. Thank you for the work that you do. Thank you for the support that you give people. On behalf of everyone in our community: thank you.
If you’d like to find out more about how you can support carers in our community – or you are a carer looking for support – please do look at the work Carers in Herts are doing: https://www.carersinherts.org.uk/.
