Broadcaster Kate Garraway will join organisations from across the UK on Monday (Nov 18) when she attends the official launch of a new card designed to ease the cost of living for the country’s professional and unpaid carers.
The event, which is being held at the House of Commons, has been organised to promote the Blue Sky Social Card, which is a UK-wide forces and frontline discount card designed for people working across the social care sector.
The aim is to provide both employed and unpaid carers with an official ID card to verify their status in order for them to gain accessibility as a carer and also enjoy national discounts and perks from attractions and retailers.
The event is being hosted by Catherine Atkinson MP, who represents Derby North, where the organisation behind the card, Blue Sky Brokers, which is part of the Disability Direct charity, is based.
Other attendees at the event include representatives from the National Association of Care and Support Workers, Skills for Care and the Oodles Chinese restaurant chain, which operates 40 outlets across the country.
ITV’s Good Morning presenter Kate has taken on the role of championing the cause of the UK’s estimated 10.6 million carers following her husband Derek Draper’s very public illness from COVID, which sadly ended with his death at the age of 56 earlier this year.
Earlier this year she used her speech while receiving a National Television Award for her documentary Caring for Derek to pay tribute to professional and unpaid carers across the UK.
Raj Johal, managing director of the Blue Sky Social Card, said: “We are delighted that Kate and pour other guests are joining us for our launch and grateful to Catherine for hosting our event, which will officially put the Blue Sky Social Care card on the map.
“Millions of professional and unpaid carers dedicate their lives to looking after others, day in, day out. It’s a thankless task which often involves huge sacrifice and financial hardship at a time when everybody is feeling the pinch.
“Our card is designed to officially recognise their status as a carer and we’re calling on retailers and venues to help us make a difference by offering discounts to all Blue Sky Social Card holders.”
