Celebrating Carers
How carers make a difference
This month we are celebrating carers. We think carers deserve recognition all year round, but we want to use this month to show exactly why they need to be front and centre of our minds.
Every day unpaid carers across the UK quietly carry out work that makes a big difference to someone’s life. From cooking meals, administering medicine, attending appointments and providing comfort and support, carers do it all.
We need to remember that not only do they help the person they care for, they are the backbone of our communities at the same time as saving the economy billions.
The facts:
A Carers Week report found one in five people are providing unpaid care or support to someone.
Carers UK says 72% of carers have reported experiencing poor mental health due to their caring responsibilities. This can include conditions like stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness.
They also found that 600 people a day give up work to care for someone.
According to Carers UK, unpaid carers in the UK are estimated to save the economy £162 billion a year. That’s the equivalent of a second NHS.
They do this by providing unpaid care that would otherwise come from the public purse.
We know many carers who have had to reduce their working hours or give up their job to care for someone, which has had an impact on their wellbeing.
If you are a working carer in need of support, or trying to get back into work, visit our employment and education section on our website.
Aside from the financial impact, carers carry the emotional support for the person they care for, which can leave them mentally exhausted. Caring can lead to stress, depression and other mental health issues. Caring can affect your relationship with your partner or other family members.
If this sounds like you, visit our website for some advice on health and wellbeing.
Carers are often the quiet connectors in families and communities. They make sure someone gets to their appointments, has companionship, or stays socially engaged. In doing so, they’re often fighting loneliness themselves.
If you feel alone and in need of some company, try one of our support groups. We have an all carers group that meets monthly and is a great place to speak to people in the same position as you. We also often organise trips out for a few hours. Visit our website to find out more.
We believe it’s time carers were recognised as key contributors to our society, not just during Carers Week, but every single day.
Whether it’s through accessible services, financial support, flexible working arrangements or simply saying thank you, we all have a role to play in making sure carers feel seen, supported, and valued.
We want to recognise our carers in North Tyneside who spend every day working hard and taking on the toll of someone else’s care, without any expectation.
So here is what we want from you. If you know a carer who deserves recognition, please nominate them for our Celebrating Carers campaign. All you need to do is send us an email (enquiries@ntcarers.co.uk) with the carers name and why you want to nominate them. We will share their story and give them the love they deserve.