Barber, C.

As you may have heard, the Queen’s Speech, which opened the 2008-2009 parliamentary year, included reference to the importance of rights for informal carers (House of Commons, 2008). I am no stranger to the world of informal caring as many of you may know. Indeed, I have made it no secret and frequently mention it at the annual Royal College of Nursing Congress and have done so since 2001.

As I sit here in the garden, enjoying the cool evening breeze after a hard day decorating the bedroom, I flick through a list of national and world days that have landed in my email in tray. Yes, I know that this is sad. However, a number of interesting—if not rather bizarre-days and weeks swim into view, including National Noodle Day (5 March) and Be Nice to Nettles Day (19 May). I kid you not.

Well, that’s another Carers Week over and done with for another year, the 21st of such weeks apparently. What do you mean you didn’t know that there was one? This is the one week of the year where ‘informal carers’ are allowed to be ‘out and proud’.

Informal carers are not always recognized for the role they play in supporting those with a disability, including learning disabilities. However, their inclusion in the way in which health services are provided can be crucial in ensuring that the best possible standards of care are offered. This article looks at the definition of formal and informal care and discusses how support workers and health professionals more broadly can improve the experiences of informal carers and those with learning disabilities.