This past week (7-13 June 2021) has officially been Carers Week. An annual campaign dedicated to recognising the
challenges faced by unpaid carers and their contribution to the lives of
disabled people and families across the UK.
To coincide with this event, Carers Week published new
research outlining unpaid carers fears about reduced support as the pandemic
continues. Notably, concerns relate
to loss of support from services, friends and family, not having breaks from
caring roles and feeling exhausted, unable to cope in the longer term:
… carers lost, on average, 25 hours of support a month they previously had from services or family and friends before the pandemic.
72%
of carers have not had any breaks from their caring role at all. Of those who
got a break, a third (33%) used the time to complete practical tasks or
housework, and a quarter (26%) to attend their own medical appointments.
Three
quarters (74%) reported being exhausted as a result of caring during the
pandemic, and more than a third (35%) said they feel unable to manage their
unpaid caring role.
What support is available for carers?
- A
carers' assessment by your local authority to look at what support would
help your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
- Carer’s
allowance if you look after someone for 35 hours per week or more and they
receive certain benefits. If you are
working, you need to be earning less than £128 per week.
- Support
if you work dependent on employer policy, with examples including carer leave, time off to accompany the person you care for to appointments and access
to a carer support group.
- Access to Scope’s family
services such as Navigate: providing emotional support for carers of
disabled children.
For specialist advice, you can also contact the following organisations:
Over to you
Can you resonate with the fears expressed by carers above? Has your support reduced since the pandemic began?
Let us know in the comments below.
