Caroline Abrahams (Age UK) and Mark Lever (The National Autistic Society) appointed to co-chair the Care and Support Alliance
The Care and Support Alliance (CSA) has appointed Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director of Age UK, and Mark Lever, Chief Executive of The National Autistic Society, as co-chairs. They replace Vicky McDermott, Chief Executive of Papworth Trust who is leaving the adult social care sector.
The CSA is an Alliance of over 80 charities campaigning for a properly funded care system alongside the millions of older people, disabled people and their carers who deserve decent care. Members include: Carers UK, Scope, MacMillan, British Red Cross, RNIB and Mind.
Social care is chronically underfunded. In the last seven years budgets have been cut by £6bn in real terms. As a result, half a million fewer older and disabled people receive care now than did five years ago , and research has estimated that more than one million people are not getting the care they need.
Caroline and Mark put themselves forward as co-chairs to ensure the leadership of the Alliance reflected the importance of care to working age disabled adults and older people, as well as families and carers. They take over at an important time for the sector as the Government have committed to a consultation on adult social care.
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said:
“Mark and I agree it is crucial that the Care and Support Alliance is, and is seen to be, equally passionate about the importance of social care for disabled and mentally ill adults and older people, as well as for their carers, and our co-chairing arrangement is a concrete expression of this on our part. We must stand together across the whole of the social care sector.”
Mark Lever, Chief Executive of the National Autistic Society, said:
“This is set to be an important year for social care and the Alliance needs to step up and hold the Government to its pledge of putting the system on a sustainable financial basis for the future. I am really looking forward to working with Caroline and with all our Alliance members to bring the full force of the millions whom we represent behind our shared campaign goals.”
Note to editors
The Care and Support Alliance represents more than 80 of Britain’s leading charities campaigning alongside the millions of older people, disabled people and their carers who deserve decent care.
Media contact
Ari Haque, Tel: 020 7923 5723 Email: ari.haque@nas.org.uk
