Wales’ unpaid carers suffering anxiety and stress
Carers in Wales said they are 39% less satisfied with life and 37% said their happiness levels were lower than the rest of the Welsh population
Urgent support is needed as the number of adult carers in Wales rises to 400,000
Unpaid carers in Wales are looking after loved ones living with an illness, disability or mental health condition. Seven national charities are calling for a step change in the way society supports those caring unpaid for family and friends.
The extent of poor wellbeing amongst carers in Wales is revealed as new estimates suggest there could be more people caring unpaid than previously thought. There are a potential 400,000 adult carers in Wales, up from 370,000 estimated in the 2011 census – an increase of eight percent.
Research released for Carers Week 2019 (10th – 16th June) reveals that carers in Wales are a third less satisfied with life (39%) and a third less happy (37%) compared with the rest of the Welsh population. They also reported that they are twice as anxious as the rest of the population.
With one in six adults in Wales now provide unpaid care, seven charities have come together to highlight the urgent need to improve wellbeing among carers, who all too often put their needs second
- Claire Morgan, Director of Carers Wales said:
- “With the carer population continuing to increase across Wales and one in six adults in Wales now providing unpaid care it is high time that our society recognises and values the crucial support they provide.
- The extent of poor well-being amongst carers in Wales is exacerbated by carers not knowing where to find the crucial information and support to enable them to have a life outside caring and connect to their local communities”
The research comes from a UK survey of people providing substantial care, the majority of whom provide over 50 hours of care for a loved one each week.
The findings shows that carers need to have the correct information and support to help improve the wellbeing of Wales’ 400,000 unpaid carers and get them better connected to their communities.
The charities calling for a step change in the way society values and supports unpaid carers, and supporting Carers Week 2019, are Carers Wales – part of Carers UK, Age UK, Carers Trust, Motor Neurone Disease Association, MS Society, Rethink Mental Illness and Sense.
The headline supporter of Carers Week 2019 is British Gas, who will be providing its customers with support and advice on unpaid caring throughout the week, and Nutricia Advanced Medical Nutrition also supporting.
This document is available in both English and Welsh in the links below.
- Wales’ unpaid carers suffering anxiety and stress
- Gofalwyr di-dâl yng Nghymru yn dioddef o bryder a straen
