Carers UK has launched a new campaign entitled ‘This Counts as Care’ to help those who don’t currently identify as an unpaid carer to see themselves in this way.
Carers UK say:
“There are currently 5.7 million unpaid carers in the UK caring for an ill, elderly or disabled relative or friend long-term, with 4.7% of the population in England and Wales providing 20 hours or more of care a week.
Despite this, over a third (35%) of UK adults don’t consider caring for a loved one or relative as care and many people who struggle to identify as carers – because they continue to see themselves, primarily, as a loved one or friend – are continuing to care alone.
New figures from the Carers UK State of Caring 2024 Survey show that over half (55%) of carers took one year or more to realise that they were caring, and over a third (38%) took 3 years or more to identify with their caring role.”
You can view the ‘This Counts as Care’ film here:
More information about this campaign is here: https://www.carersuk.org/press-releases/less-than-half-of-us-know-how-to-identify-an-unpaid-carer-as-millions-miss-out-on-support/