Many of you will know that there have been proposals for real change in social care. Our social care system is struggling to cope with demand, resulting in ever narrowing criteria, leaving many people unsupported.

The Dilnot Commission has suggested changes which would be positive. However, it is far from clear whether the Government will step up and push these through.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is a member of the Care and Support Alliance – a coalition of 50 organisations which will be campaigning over the next few months to make sure we get the reforms to social care which carers and their families need.

Our care system is in crisis. We need to tell politicians that.

As part of the campaign we need to raise awareness by writing to newspapers and getting as many carers to write to and meet their MP as possible.

I also wanted to give you advance notice of the Care and Support Alliance mass lobby of Parliament which will be held in London on Tuesday 6 March 2012.

It would be fantastic is as many Carers Centres as possible could bring carers, and their family members or people they care for if they wish, to Parliament on that day.

Together with organisations which support disabled people, older people, children and families as well as carers we will be coming together to give politicians the message: take this opportunity to provide the social care system which people deserve.

I will send more details as they emerge. I hope you will be able to come and join us.