Are carers being ignored and overlooked by society?

Carers provide vital, ongoing support to people who rely on them every day. Yet despite the dedication, hard work and personal sacrifice involved, many carers still feel overlooked and undervalued by society.

For many people, caring is deeply rewarding and fulfilling. New research from Talking Tube Feeding found that 41% of carers say the experience has given them a greater appreciation for life’s small moments, while 29% feel caring has had a positive impact on their mental health. However, the findings also suggest far more support is needed for these everyday heroes, as more than a quarter of carers (26%) say they rarely or never receive outside help and are often left to manage alone.

While many carers find meaning and purpose in their role, the emotional and physical toll can still be significant. Two in five carers regularly experience exhaustion and burnout, 31% feel overwhelmed, 27% report ongoing stress, and 22% say they often feel lonely. A third (33%) say caring has had a negative impact on their mental health. Meanwhile, 60% believe unpaid carers are not properly recognised by society and that more should be done to acknowledge and support the invaluable work that they do.

Ros spoke to Katy Styles from We Care Campaign & Lorenza.