Being a carer doesn’t always look the way people expect
We know across the country there are thousands of people quietly providing essential care for someone, without officially being known as a carer. These people are doing their day to day work without any recognition or support. They are known as hidden carers.
Some examples of hidden carers are a young person helping a parent with a long-term illness, a partner managing medications and hospital appointments, a friend making sure someone has company and offering practical support.
All of these situations come under the umbrella of “helping out” but they are also all carers.
There are many reasons people might not see themselves as carers. Firstly, they may see themselves as a spouse, child or friend first. They also may feel uncomfortable asking for help or don’t even realise there is help available. Then it can also become normalised. Caring responsibilities build over time and that person becomes more overwhelmed.
If people aren’t identified as carers then they can’t get the help they need. This can lead to stress and burnout, isolation, financial issues and mental health issues.
As soon as someone recognises they are a carer, they can get help from local organisations, like North Tyneside Carers’ Centre, they can apply for financial support, they can request flexible working and they can get some much-needed emotional support.
At North Tyneside Carers’ Centre, one of our main roles is helping those helpers to identify themselves as carers so that we can help them through their caring journey. Sometimes it’s just about starting a conversation and asking gentle questions about responsibilities at home. We can share information about what a carer is and then direct people to support options available.
By raising awareness and encouraging open conversations, we can help ensure that no carer remains invisible.
If you know of someone who might need support, or you think you might be a carer – get in touch with us and we can help.
0191 2496480
www.northtynesidecarers.org.uk