1.2 million unpaid carers across the UK are living in poverty, with 1 in 10 of all carers in deep poverty

13-Sept-24

400,000 unpaid carers live in deep poverty - 50% below the poverty line The rate of poverty amongst unpaid carers is 50% higher in comparison to those who do not provide unpaid care  62% of those receiving Carer’s Allowance live in poverty – half a million carers Carers UK is calling for an increase to earnings limit for Carer’s Allowance and an increase in support for unpaid carers on means-tested benefits  Poverty levels amongst those looking after a friend or family member who is older disabled or seriously ill are shockingly high, with millions of unpaid carers struggling to make ends meet...

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Less than half of us know how to identify an unpaid carer as millions miss out on support

11-Sept-24

Not even half (41%) of UK adults can recognise an unpaid carer Over half (55%) of unpaid carers looking after a family member or friend take a year or more to realise they are caring  Over a third (38%) take over three years or more to recognise their caring role New ‘This Counts As Care’ campaign aims to reduce by half, the time it takes for people to identify themselves as an unpaid carer and access support With not even half of UK adults able to recognise an unpaid carer, low public awareness is causing millions of people looking after a family member or friend to miss out on vital information, advice and support...

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Open letter signed by more than 10,000 unpaid carers delivered to new Prime Minister

20-Aug-24

Carers UK hand-in letter signed by over 10,000 people to 10 Downing Street, calling for a step-change in support for unpaid carers from the new Government and the development of a new and ambitious National Carers Strategy...

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The challenges facing the millions of unpaid Carers

15-Aug-24

Isolation, loneliness, a lack of support - these are some of the issues facing the millions of unpaid carers in the UK.Nearly three-quarters of carers have support needs that are not being met, according to new research...

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Thousands of unpaid carers feel that they have been treated unfairly by the general public, by their employer, or when accessing goods or services

07-Aug-24

New report from charity Carers UK highlights gaps in current legislation designed to protect against discrimination and inequality 22% of carers say they have been treated unfairly at work19% of carers say they have been treated unfairly by the public Charity Carers UK is calling on the Government to review the Equality Act 2010 and introduce caring as a protected characteristic following new research which shows that many people providing unpaid care say they have experienced discrimination because of their caring role...

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Carers UK reacts to meeting Ministers from the Department of Work and Pensions to Discuss Carer's Allowance overpayments report

01-Aug-24

Carers UK was pleased to meet with two Ministers, Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Social Security and Disability and Andrew Western MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transformation to share our new report on Carer's Allowance overpayments...

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FREE - Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) for Families and Informal Carers (not Community DoL) 28 August 2024

26-Jul-24

We are hosting another free course for families and informal carers of people that are in a care home under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. The course will be run by ...

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NORTH CUMBRIA NHS area - Have your say on plans to cut waiting lists and improve health

22-Jul-24

NCIC the NHS Trust that runs hospital and community services in north Cumbria is seeking views from the community as it develops a new clinical strategy to cut waiting lists and improve the health of our community...

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Carers UK welcome appointment of Stephen Kinnock MP

10-Jul-24

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:“We welcome the appointment of Stephen Kinnock MP as a Minister of State for Care in the Department of Health and Social Care and look forward to working with him to make life better for carers...

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Families want a reliable, affordable childcare system – the next government must prioritise that if it wants to boost the economy

04-Jul-24

Sarah Ronan, Director of the Early Education and Childcare CoalitionIn recent years we’ve seen childcare reform climb the political agenda, and quite rightly...

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It shouldn’t cost to care - MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!!

02-Jul-24

There are millions of carers across the UK and they are saving the state billions of pounds' worth of care. They also have millions of votes.But carers have told us they feel forgotten, neglected and burnt out...

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AccessAva - online rights resource

26-Jun-24

Unpaid carers to get new specialist online resource to help them access their essential rightsTo mark Carers Week 2024, charities Access Social Care and Carers UK have teamed up to provide unpaid carers in England with a new specialist online resource dedicated to supporting them to activate their own rights as a carer...

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State of Caring 2024 survey

17-Jun-24

We launched our ...

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Carers Week report: No Choice But To Care

10-Jun-24

Today marks the start of Carers Week 2024 and the publication of the ...

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Unpaid care has huge mental health impact and disproportionately affects low income households across Europe, report shows

05-Jun-24

Unpaid care has a huge impact on mental health and is more likely to be provided by people from low income households, a landmark Europe-wide study has shown.The Eurocare research, published on 29 May, examined unpaid care provided by people of all ages across Europe...

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Cross-party group of parliamentarians launch report calling for new National Carers Strategy

28-May-24

Today, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Carers has published a ...

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Review and reform Carer's Allowance to increase support and reduce overpayments

20-May-24

We want a full review and reform of Carer’s Allowance to ensure that it works well at supporting unpaid carers, including raising the level and eligibility criteria for the benefit...

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New service for stroke patients launches across north Cumbria

08-May-24

A new service to support recovering stroke patients and their families has been launched. The North Cumbria Community Stroke Discharge and Support Team will support patients with complex care needs who are being discharged from hospital following a stroke, focusing on patients who require a full package of care at home or who are moving into nursing residential care...

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Carers UK responds to Work and Pensions Committee discussion on Carer's Allowance

01-May-24

Helen Walker, chief executive at Carers UK, said:“Carers up and down the country will be deeply disappointed by the Minister’s message that Carer’s Allowance – the lowest benefit of its kind – will not be raised in line with other similar benefits and that there are no plans to change any of its inflexible and punitive eligibility criteria...

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Our petition on Carer's Allowance reform and overpayments - please share widely!

25-Apr-24

I wanted to provide you with an update on our campaign calling for an end to the devastating Carer’s Allowance overpayments that many carers are sadly facing, which continues to make headlines in the media...

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Carers UK manifesto 2024 and open letter to the future Prime Minister

18-Apr-24

Carers UK has today launched our ...

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Support for Carers UK's Carer's Allowance overpayments campaign

17-Apr-24

Carers UK overwhelmed by support from senior politicians encourages carers to share their experience of Carer’s Allowance overpayments as Government is urged to act quicklyCarers UK is urging the Government to act swiftly to make critical changes to Carer’s Allowance and its systems to protect carers from overpayments...

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New: UPPER EDEN DAY CARE

03-Apr-24

A new Day Care for adults with dementia and disabilities in Upper Eden.  BRILLIANT NEWS!!!...

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Young Carers Invited To Tell Their Story

03-Apr-24

Young Carers across Cumbria are being invited to make a short film on their smartphones to tell their story of life as an unpaid Carer.More than 8,000 people under 18 years old in Cumbria are providing unpaid Carer for a family member of friend...

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Unpaid carers in employment forced to reduce their working hours for the fifth consecutive year as Carer Poverty Coalition publishes its demands of government.

28-Mar-24

Unpaid carers forced to reduce their working hours from April 2024. Carer Poverty Coalition of 130 organisations is calling on political parties to commit to a full review of financial support for unpaid carers and rules preventing them from working alongside caring role...

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Two million employees set to benefit from Carer’s Leave as final details of new law go through Parliament

05-Mar-24

Final legislation passed in Parliament yesterday seals a groundbreaking new right for two million employees with unpaid caring responsibilities to take up to five days of Carer’s Leave...

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The Recovery College: Eden Timetable

31-Jan-24

The Recovery College is a place you can go to learn techniques and strategies to help manage mental and physical wellbeing for yourself or someone you are caring for. It is for all adults age 18+ that would like to improve their overall mental health and physical wellbeing...

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Channel 4 News on 'Carers are just abandoned’: Demand for council respite care soars as funding squeezed'

31-Jan-24

Demands for respite for Unpaid Carers has risen dramatically.Councils in England have been given an emergency £600 million by the Government but these funds are nowhere near enough to meet the demand for services after years of budget cuts...

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Together We Cumbria new course

26-Jan-24

The North Cumbria Recovery College supports Adults aged 18+ in Cumbria by delivering group sessions and providing opportunities for those experiencing mental or physical health difficulties, or those caring for someone who does...

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New guide launched to inspire opportunities for carers to get active

08-Jan-24

A new guide created by Carers UK shows how professionals can make a positive difference for unpaid carers by offering tailored activities encouraging them to get active...

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