	CARERS of WEST LOTHIAN Providing Support, Information and a A Voice for Carers in West Lothian

Care to Vote?

18th April at 10:15 am - Question Time on the Scottish Carers Manifesto 2007

Scotland's unpaid carers contribute £5.3 billion worth of care every year - more than half the entire budget of Scotland's NHS. This is why Scotland's carer organisations have launched Scotland's Carers Manifesto 2007, calling on all political parties to increase their investment in carers, in recognition of the growing contribution that Scotland's 480,000 unpaid carers make to society.

On Wednesday 18th April Carers of West Lothian will host a 'Carers Question Time' where West Lothian carers will have an opportunity to ask questions of their local parliamentary candidates, and find out what their commitments to supporting carers will be if elected. There will be cross-party representation at the event, with confirmation so far from Mary Mulligan MSP (Labour Linlithgow), Bristow Muldoon MSP (Labour, Livingston), Fiona Hyslop MSP (SNP Lothians) and Robin Harper MSP (Green Party Lothians).

Following coffee and tea at 10.15am, the event will start at 10.30am. If you are a carer and have a question that you would like to put forward please submit it to Carers of West Lothian ahead of the event, letting us know whether you want to ask the question yourself, or the chair of the meeting to ask on your behalf. We cannot guarantee that every individual question will be raised, but we can ensure that a range of relevant themes and topics are covered.

The event will close at 12 noon with coffee, tea and sandwiches, giving carers the opportunity to mingle and speak to candidates informally.

If you are a carer and would like to attend, we would be grateful if you could contact the Carers Centre on 01506 771750 to let us know. Further information and copies of the Scotland's Carers Manifesto 2007 can be obtained from Carers of West Lothian at the above telephone number or from www.scotlandscarersmanifesto.com