Care in Crisis

Age UK’s Care in Crisis campaign arrives in Shropshire to highlight the urgent need for more funding for social care.

The general public are invited to visit the Age UK stand in the Square, Shrewsbury 22 August and Telford Shopping Centre 23 August. There will also be a bright pink inflatable pig, ‘Penny the Piggy Bank’ and local people will be urged to share their views about social care and send them directly to Shropshire’s MPs.

The latest data suggests 1.4m older people in the UK go without the care and support they need and this social care crisis is costing the NHS over £500 per minute. ‘Penny’ has been visiting towns across England in a bid to bring attention to the need for the Government to provide more funding.

Heather Osborne, Chief Executive of Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, said: 'The Government is expected to publish proposals about the future funding of social care by Christmas, but it could take years for any practical solutions to have a positive impact on the lives on older people. Our concern is the immediate challenges that older people experience. On a daily basis we hear about the struggles older people face with inadequate funding to support care provision when they return home from hospital, and as a result we are seeing a greater demand for our services.'

Heather added: 'We are well aware the number of people over the age of 65 is set to rise higher than the national average in Shropshire. Social care is one of the most important and emotive issues for us all and with an ageing population the Chancellor must announce a major three year funding deal to keep social care going as part of his Autumn Budget.'

For further information visit the Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin stand in the Square on 22 August or Telford Shopping Centre on 23 August. Alternatively follow Penny by using the hashtag #WhereisPenny?