Local charity The Carers’ Centre, which is based in Bath, has revealed the devastating impact the cost of living crisis is having on unpaid carers across the area.
Unpaid carers, looking after their friends and family members due to serious illnesses or disabilities are struggling “physical, emotionally and financially” says Jacqui Orchard, CEO at The Carers’ Centre.
With an estimated 20,000 unpaid carers in Bath and North East Somerset, the charity is calling for more to be done to help them live well.
In a recent poll, The Carers’ Centre found that 74% of carers are worried about the cost of living crisis, and over two thirds are concerned about taking a break from caring.
On top of this, a post-pandemic NHS, juggling work alongside caring duties and keeping themselves and their loved ones Covid-safe are all contributing to an unbearable level of pressure for carers in Bath and North East Somerset.
Sarah, a carer who looks after her adult brother shared her worries about the cost of living increase. She said: “My costs are going up – fuel, food, everything. We don’t have money for the energy hike going up too.
“I have enough money to get through the summer, but I am worried about when winter comes. I lose around £300 every month to care for him.
“I don’t qualify for benefits, I fall through the cracks. There’s an assumption that because I work, ‘I’m ok’. I tried to work full-time, and it was a disaster.
“I was exhausted because of his care. If I work longer hours, he will be affected, and his health will deteriorate.
“Do I make a choice to go back to full-time work and risk my brother’s health?”
Jacqui Orchard said: “After the pandemic, unpaid carers are being faced with even more uncertainty and stress as the cost of living soars.
“Carers like Sarah are being pushed to breaking point as they struggle to pay their bills and are exhausted, with no end in sight for respite.”
Key findings from The Carers’ Centre poll found that:
- Over 75% of carers are concerned about NHS waiting times
- Around three quarters (74%) of carers are worried about the cost of living crisis
- Over two thirds (66.4%) of respondents are worried about taking a break from caring
- Nearly 50% of those who responded were still concerned about Covid and its impact on them, and the people they care for
Jacqui continued: “We know that these findings are the tip of the iceberg, as so many people don’t recognise themselves as unpaid carers.
“It’s often a misunderstood term, mistakenly used to describe paid care workers and more often that not people see themselves as a mother, husband, daughter, friend or other relative simply helping their loved ones get the best of out of life.
“We welcome the recent additional help that Rishi Sunak MP has put forward for low-income households, however we are disappointed that the government has ignored unpaid carers as a priority group for this additional support.
“As Sarah mentions, carers like her ‘fall through the cracks’, carers need to be prioritised and receive urgent help.
“We’re supporting the Carers Week call for the UK government to publish a Recovery and Respite Plan for unpaid carers. This would enable people to get the support they need, as soon as possible.”
If you look after a friend or family member, you can access support, advice and meet others that understand what you’re going through by joining The Carers’ Centre community here.
To protect the identity of the carer interviewed in this story, their name has been changed.
