For many people who are caring unpaid for a family member or friend who has a disability, physical or mental illness or needing extra help as they grow older, it is a hugely rewarding aspect of their life – but caring can also bring its challenges at the best of times. Carers will tell you that providing care requires a lot of love, patience and understanding, coupled with persistence, adaptability and comprehensive project management skills.

There are an estimated 6.5 million people in the UK caring unpaid for loved ones, but Carers UK believes the real number during the pandemic could be far higher. For many of them, the Covid-19 outbreak has added to already significant challenges of caring for someone, bringing carers a great amount of stress as they worry about keeping themselves and the person they care for safe. 

Unpaid carers have had to make difficult decisions during the pandemic, making tricky choices about money, work and the health and safety of those they care for. A Carers UK survey of unpaid carers during the Covid-19 lockdown showed that the majority of unpaid carers are now having to provide even more care for their loved ones during the crisis. 

For some carers, it means providing more intense care in their own home, helping with personal care, getting washed, dressed, preparing meals, helping around the home, administering medication and more. It could mean caring round the clock, without any sight of a break on the horizon.

For others, it means doing more to ensure family and friends living at a distance are properly supported, have the food, medication and reassurance they need to continue living independently.

For Carers Week 2020, taking place between June 8-14, Carers UK is joining forces with Age UK, Carers Trust, Motor Neurone Disease Association, Oxfam GB and Rethink Mental Illness in a bid to Make Caring Visible and formally recognise the vital role of unpaid carers in the UK’s fight against coronavirus. This year, the awareness campaign is supported by British Gas and Nutricia.

Carers Week 2020 is a chance for communities to come together to recognise the huge contribution unpaid carers have made, and continue to make, in keeping some of society’s most vulnerable people safe and well during the pandemic. We are encouraging people to show solidarity with carers who for the large part are caring behind closed doors.

How can you recognise and support unpaid carers in your community?

If you know someone who is caring for a friend or family member, give them a call or drop them an email to let them know you are there for them. You could ask them how they are doing and what support they would find useful.

Show your support for carers! Add your voice to Carers Week by visiting carersweek.org.
Spread the word about Carers Week and caring on social media using our hashtag #CarersWeek. Follow Carers Week on Twitter and Facebook to see what others are doing to celebrate.

Contact your local MP and ask them to show their support for unpaid carers during Carers Week.

Find out more about Carers Week 2020 and how you can get involved at carersweek.org.

Are you an unpaid carer with a question about caring? Call Carers UK’s helpline on 0808 808 777 (Monday to Friday,
9am-6pm) or email
advice@carersuk.org.

If you have particular concerns about caring through the Covid-19 outbreak, or are looking for practical advice, find Carers UK’s guidance at carersuk.org/coronavirus.