As part of Carer’s week, which runs from 6th-12th June, Mims Davies MP attended a drop-in session in Parliament organised by Carers UK. The event also included the other Carers Week charity supporters: Age UK, Carers Trust, Oxfam GB, MND Association, Rethink Mental Illness, and The Lewy Body Society.
Whilst at the event, Mims met with unpaid carers to hear more about their personal experiences of caring and the challenges they are currently facing.
Commenting, Mims said: “As someone who has experienced the challenges carers face, I understand the impact it can have on every aspect of your life, including your mental health and wellbeing. I’d like to thank Carers UK for continuing to shed light on the issues carers are facing and was pleased to be able to show my support for carers by attending this event.”
New research was released by Carers UK today which details the rising pressures being experienced by unpaid carers.
The research shows:
- More than 4.6 million unpaid carers are concerned about their physical and mental health and over 2 million carers are worried about their ability to cope financially.
- More care is being provided by unpaid carers than ever before, even more than during the height of the pandemic. The number providing 20+ hours of care per week has risen by 42% across the UK since October 2020; while the number providing more than 50 hours has increased by 30%.
- There are also more unpaid carers in 2022 than before the pandemic, with one in five UK adults (approximately 10.6 million people) now supporting a relative, close friend or neighbour because of chronic illness, including mental ill-health, dementia, disability, or older age.
- There is overwhelming public support for more Government action to help unpaid carers – 84% of the general public think that the UK governments should provide additional support to unpaid carers, including increased financial support and investment in care and support services so that unpaid carers can have a break. Only 3% disagreed.
