Our call to better support parent carers was reinforced at the Labour Party conference recently.
Following the relaunch of Harry’s Pledge with a new focus on supporting parent carers, a panel took part in an event at the conference to amplify this message.
Hayley Charlesworth, Harry’s mum and founder of Harry’s Pals, was joined by Julie Doyle, Harry’s grandmother and Chief Executive of Amplius, a founder of Harry’s Pledge, at the event titled ‘Every parent’s worst nightmare’.
The session was chaired by Matt Bishop MP and also included Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of Health and Social Care, and Ben Coleman MP.
Julie said: “Having witnessed firsthand the challenges families face when their child receives a life-limiting diagnosis, I know that the emotional support that parents need is severely lacking.
“I’m determined to help drive positive change in this area, so it was fantastic to have an opportunity to talk about this important topic at the recent Labour Party Conference.
“At Amplius, we’re doing our best to help all carers, including parent carers, through Harry’s Pledge.
“It’s vital that organisations like us do our bit to support colleagues and customers who are also carers to make sure they know that they’re not on their own.
“As employers, we have a responsibility to help people to balance the challenges of their crucial caring role with their job.
“I’m very grateful to everyone who took part in the discussion, especially the MPs, who’ve also said they’ll continue the debate in Parliament.
“We have lots of plans to keep this topic at the top of the agenda and this event was just the start.”
Matt Bishop MP added: “It was clear to me, while chairing the event, that too many parents and carers are being left to cope without the emotional and practical support they need at the hardest moments of their lives. Something has to change. Listening to Hayley, Julie, and Rachel’s real-life experiences was both moving and motivating.
“Harry’s Pledge is a fantastic initiative that ensures compassion for carers. Bringing people together to champion this cause is essential if we are going to create real, lasting change. I’ll keep pushing this conversation in Parliament to make sure these families are properly heard and supported in the way they so desperately need.”
Hayley added: “For far too long, the mental health of parent carers has been overlooked despite the unbearable emotional strain of caring for a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. The reality is stark: too many parent carers are not coping. Families are breaking under the practical, physical and emotional pressure and lives are being lost.
“I was proud to speak up for the mums and dads who often suffer in silence. By sharing my own experiences, the stories of the families we support through Harry’s Pals, and the devastating findings on parent carer suicide highlighted by Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, we are calling for urgent action.
“Our message is simple, parent carers cannot continue to be overlooked. The government should recognise the crisis facing these families and take immediate, meaningful steps to protect their mental health and wellbeing.
“Without proper support, more families will reach breaking point — but with a parent carer mental health budget, Harry’s Pals and charities alike can support more families so that they can stay together and find the strength to care for their children while also caring for themselves.”
Rachel Wright, from Born at the Right Time, also took part in the discussion. She spoke about ‘Systems Generated Trauma.’ The often-unseen negative impact caused by the action and inaction of services when parent carers need to fight for support.
She said: “The lack of psychological support for parents caring for a child with life-limiting conditions is breaking families. Society, politicians and our governing bodies are silently complicit in accepting the avoidable negative impact on parent carers mental health.
“It was an honour to take part in the discussion, highlighting the devastating reality of parent carers’ needs directly to decision makers.
“The message is clear – early, small, targeted funding can give effective psychological support, prevent family breakdowns, save lives and ultimately save much more public money down the line.
“I’m very pleased to have been able to portray this message to those who can make change happen and hopefully the session will help galvanise the urgent support and policy change that parent carers need.”