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Local Charities Welcome National Research On The Plight Of Unpaid Carers
| Author: annahowelll | Published: 10th May 2012 12:04 |
Carers' charities, Crossroads Care South Central, welcome UK-wide research on unpaid carers which shows they can struggle on for years looking after sick or disabled family members or friends without help.
The study is from the new leading carers' charity Carers Trust of which Crossroads Care South Central are Network Partners.
The research shows that almost two thirds (64%) of the carers asked said that apart from family and friends they have never accessed any other support or services such as respite breaks or counselling. Six in ten (60%) of those that have been caring for more than five years have done so without accessing any additional support.
Of those who have sought out extra help, almost half (46%) did so after they were made aware that assistance was available specifically for carers, according to a survey of 500 unpaid adult carers. The research was carried out by YouGov for Carers Trust which works to ensure that information, advice and practical support are available to all carers across the UK through its Network Partners.
Eric Geddes, CEO Crossroads Care South Central (West Sussex and Hampshire), said: ‘As this survey shows many unpaid carers struggle on without accessing any support. We provide services for over 2,000 carers in West Sussex and Hampshire, but we know there are many more out there who could benefit from the support we offer. Carers tell us that even a little bit of support can make a tremendous difference to their lives.'
Battling on as a carer without support can lead to serious problems in carers' lives. Almost six in ten (59%) carers said that being a carer had a negative impact on their working life. And almost six in ten (58%) of the carers surveyed said that their mental health has been affected by being a carer while more than a quarter (27%) said both their physical and mental health has been adversely affected by their caring role.
Tony looks after his wife Roseena round the clock. She suffers from Pick's Disease, a rare form of dementia. He said: ‘Crossroads are a life saver. Without them I wouldn't survive. It would mean my wife would have to permanently go into a nursing home and it's my intention to keep her at home until I can.'
Film and TV stars Helen Mirren and Dame Judi Dench are among the well-known names supporting Carers Trust. Dame Judi Dench said: ‘There are almost six million carers in the UK and the number is rising. Many of those carers are unaware of the support that is available to them and continue looking after their family or friends without any help and often at a cost to their own health and wellbeing.'
Carers Trust, recently formed by the merger of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care, works to improve support, services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, who has agreed to be President of Carers Trust said: ‘Carers Trust will provide a united and stronger voice for unpaid carers which will enable us to continue to raise awareness of carers' issues with Government, other policy makers and the general public and hopefully increase funding opportunities to develop and deliver the services so needed by carers and those they care for.'
Carers can get help by going online at www.crossroadscare-sc.org or contacting admin@crossroadscare-sc.org or phone 01903 790270 (West Sussex), 02392 892016 (Hampshire).
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