Today marks the start of Carers Week 2024 and the publication of the Carers Week report: No Choice But To Care, which finds that 10 million adults - 62% of current and former unpaid carers - had no choice in taking on their caring role. 

This research revealed that the impact of caring has been more negative than positive for all areas unpaid carers were asked about, particularly for their physical (53%) and mental health (63%), employment (48%) and finances and savings (47%). The negative impacts as a result of caring were felt most strongly by those who had no choice but to take on an unpaid caring role as well as women and those aged 45-54.

The profound and encompassing effects that caring can have on people’s lives means that an ambitious and comprehensive National Carers Strategy is needed in England and Wales to bring together different Government Departments to better support unpaid carers.

In this General Election year, we're campaigning for better recognition and commitment for unpaid carers from all political parties. 73% of those surveyed for this research think that unpaid carers should receive more support from the next Government, particularly financial support and investment in social care.

I hope you will join us in promoting this research and marking Carers Week 2024, which runs 10-16 June. Please use our social media toolkit to help us raise awareness of Carers Week and add your name to the Carers Week website to help us put carers on the map.

Please continue to encourage your supporters to campaign in support of carers in the run up to the General Election on 4 July. Please ask them to sign Carers UK’s open letter to the future Prime Minister. They can also write to the local candidates standing in their constituency using the campaign action we have recently launched. Please also share the campaign pack we have put together to help them get involved.

Thank you for your support and good luck with your Carers Week activities!

Best wishes

Helen Walker

Chief Executive

Carers UK