Lynda Wisbach has been caring for husband Philip since 1992

Lynda Wisbach, 49, a part-time civil servant from Newcastle, has been caring for her husband Philip for the past 15 years after a massive stroke left him totally dependent. She welcomes the new funding but said carers still felt undervalued.

This whole issue was brought home in 2004 when my son, Stuart, fell from a balcony while away at university.

The police came to our house at about 4 o'clock in the morning to say he had been in an accident - when I got through to the hospital I discovered he had a serious head injury.

As a parent I had an instinct to go to my son's side but knowing my husband was so disabled and so distressed I couldn't leave him. In the back of my mind I knew I wouldn't be able to go if I couldn't find anyone to look after my husband.

At the time it made me realise that as carer I had virtually become a prisoner in my own home.

If there was proper investment, carers would stop becoming ill and the government would reap the benefits Lynda Wisbach Carer-support plan unveiled

My sister helped me and I was able to visit my son but it was terrible because I had to leave my husband behind.

After this awful incident I had nightmares. I can laugh about it now but at the time it was really dreadful.

Local authorities do provide respite care but they have been cutting back in recent years.

The lack of support and understanding makes carers feel undervalued by society so I welcome these new measures.

However, the amount of money the government is spending is only a drop in the ocean - it has been estimated that we carers save the government billions a year.

If there was proper investment, carers would stop becoming ill and the government would reap the benefits as they would not then have to step in and provide services in homes or hospitals.

An accumulation of stress is quite common in carers.

Last year I went to see my doctor because I felt so dreadful.

She told me I was physically and mentally exhausted and was going to get worse.

I had to take six months off work.

We feel a responsibility towards the people we are caring for but it is so important we get help so we can take regular breaks ourselves.