What is a carer

Our population is ageing and people with disabilities and long-term conditions are living longer. Most of us will be carers for family members or friends at some point in our lives. Caring is as common as owning your own house yet the public conversations about caring are far less common. Becoming a carer can happen suddenly, through an accident or sudden illness, or it can creep up gradually through a long-term condition or increasing frailty.

Caring for someone can take its toll on a person's health and wellbeing. Carers UK estimate that 600 people a day give up paid work to care. Caring can seriously affect health, wellbeing and relationships. 72% carers have suffered mental ill health as a result of caring. Carers save the economy £132 billion per year, an average of £19,336 per carer.