Peterborough charity calls for greater recognition of unpaid carers
'Invisible army' of nearly 6 million unpaid carers nationwide
A charity in Peterborough says the 'invisible army of unpaid carers' needs to be properly recognised - so added pressure isn't put on the NHS and other public services
There are nearly 6 million people caring for a loved one, in the country. With 'Carers UK' warning that a lack of recognition around what this care' involves, could mean the number's higher
Zoe Bunter is from 'Caring-Together' and tells us how this can be done:
"If somebody goes along to the GP with the person they look after, it's a great opportunity for someone in that GP practice - whether it's a nurse, GP, or receptionist - to recognise that person needs support."
She says more acknowledgement of unpaid care is also needed:
"We need more conversations about who unpaid carers are and the support they need. We need proper recognition and we need proper support in place.
"This goes right up to government level, as well as local carers' organisations and the local GP practice," she says.
Zoe says many unpaid carers lose friendships and relationships.
"It can be incredibly isolating, so a lot of people who are carers find that friends and family drift away. Sometimes people have to give up their jobs or cut down their work hours," she says.
She says the work of unpaid carers adds pressure on to the NHS:
"If all of our unpaid carers nationally downed tools overnight, we would be in a major crisis situation.
"We already know lots of unpaid carers end up with more physical and mental health. That puts an additional burden on our health services and the NHS - as well as massively affecting the quality of life of those individuals," she says.