Spotlight: Carers Week 2024

Millions of people across the UK care, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health condition or addiction cannot cope without their support.

It is estimated that they save the economy £162 million a year – the equivalent of a second NHS. Yet, many unpaid carers feel their role is forgotten and invisible.

Carers Week, taking place from 10–16 June 2024, is a UK-wide awareness campaign seeking to increase visibility for carers with decision-makers, services, employers, communities, and businesses.

A staggering 82% of carers surveyed by Carers UK said the impact of caring on their physical and mental health would be a challenge over the coming year, with nearly 60% adding that being valued as a carer would improve their wellbeing.

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We spoke to a parent carer in Salford who shared what they feel are some of the pluses and minuses that can come with being an unpaid carer:

“I think for me, coming from a professional background and not getting the support that I needed to be a carer, it was a double-edged sword – it was negative and positive. Quitting my job after 20 years was difficult but in the same sense, it’s given me the ability to be a better carer. Again it’s positive that I’m there a lot more than I was, but that can sometimes have a negative impact because my son has seemed to become more needy on me than anybody else because I am there all the time.

As far as professionals are concerned, I’d say I just want to be treated like a human being and for them to understand how well, as a carer, you know your child.”