‘Inadequate’ support damaging life chances of carers

The life chances of the UK’s 6.5 million carers, who look after a disabled, older or ill family member or friend, are being damaged by ‘inadequate’ local support services, according to new research released for Carers Week 2016.

Seven charities were involved in the research, which found that 74 per cent of carers with the most intensive responsibilities feel that their community does not understand their role.

The report cautioned that mixed support from local services means that many carers struggle to balance other areas if their life alongside caring, with 51 per cent of carers saying they had let a health problem go untreated and 50 per cent believing they had seen their mental health get worse. Additionally, 66 per cent had given up work or reduced their hours to care and 47 per cent of carers said that they had struggled financially.

Emily Holzhausen, who leads the Carers Week partnership, said: “Carers have told us that it makes a huge difference to their lives when they are supported by their local services and communities; whether that’s being offered a flexible appointment to see their GP, having flexible working policies from their employers, or their school raising awareness of caring and disability.

“Despite this, the majority of carers told us that their local community was not supportive of their caring role, which in turn is having a significant and negatively impact on their life chances.

“This report comes at an opportune moment, with a new Carers’ Strategy in development in England, and new governments forming across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We’re calling on individuals, organisations and governments to think about what they can do to improve the lives of carers in their community.”