Care should be at heart of policymaking, campaigners say

Caring should be at the centre of policymaking, a women's group says.

An alliance of 10 organisations in Bristol says it wants employers, councillors and politicians to explain how they will invest in the caring economy, which includes fields such as maternity, childcare and health and social care.

Women from the alliance will give every Bristol City Council councillor a hand-crafted felt pouch, containing a personal message about how the industry has changed their lives.

It says caring has an impact on every individual, adding everyone will need care or be a carer at some point in their lives.

The Caring Economy Alliance says it wants to see employment contracts with built in paid-time allowances and flexible working conditions.

The group is also calling for better protection of rights, better pay for care workers, and better care packages.

Katy Taylor, director of Bristol Women's Voice, which is spearheading the campaign, says: "Caring is the fundamental infrastructure of our society and yet decision-makers, employers and society don’t always value it.

"We know that in Bristol, 42,300 people have caring responsibilities. They spend time looking after children, older people, family members or others.

"Women are more likely to be carers than men and more than a third of carers provide over 50 hours of care per week.

"Caring can become a full-time job in itself, and women frequently don't have any other choice but to pick up these responsibilities, often at the detriment of career aspirations or their own wellbeing."

The groups involved in the alliance are:

• Bristol Black Carers
• Bristol Women in Business Charter
• Bristol Women's Commission
• Bristol Women's Voice
• Carer's Support Centre
• Chinese Community Wellbeing Society
• Co-Produce Care
• March Of The Mummies Bristol
• West Of England for Independent Living
• Women's Budget Group