Who Is A Carer?
A carer is anyone who provides someone who, unpaid, looks after a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour because they have a disability or illness, have poor mental health, are frail or have an addiction. The carer does not need to be related to, nor living with, the person they are caring for.
Anyone can be a carer – someone can become a carer overnight.
National statistics (from Carers UK)
- 1 in 5 adults (nearly 11 million people) are carers in the UK
- Every year over 2.3 million adults become carers
- Since October 2020, there has been a 42% increase in unpaid carers providing significant care (more than 20 hours per week)
Buckinghamshire statistics
- In the 2021 census approx. 42,000 people in Buckinghamshire identified themselves as a carer, with approx. 18,000 providing 20 or more hours of care per week
- If you were to include those who do not recognise themselves as a carer, this number would be significantly higher
A young carer is a child or young person aged between 5-16 who cares for a family member due to disability, illness, long term condition, poor mental health and/or addiction. If you are a professional working with a young carers, please see Supporting Young Carers.
There is more information about working with carers on the NHS Choices website.
If you are working with a carer and you feel they would benefit from our support, please make a referral.
