Jay Coe, University of Southampton Student
There are around 6 million carers in the UK, but most don’t realise they are carers. Many find themselves becoming carers overnight due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s likely you or someone you know may become a carer at some point in your life, and whilst it can be very rewarding, many people can also find it isolating and overwhelming, especially due to a lack of awareness and support. Many carers find it hard to talk about their role to friends, family, and professionals, due to fear of judgement, misunderstanding, guilt, or not realising the impact and importance of their role.
This is why days like today are so important.
An unpaid carer provides unpaid care and support to a friend, family member, partner, or neighbour. They may need support due to disability, mental illness, addiction, old age, illness, or injury. Caring looks different for everyone. Carers can be temporary or long-term, full-time, part-time, or a mix of both, and may share a caring role with another or with a care agency.
Additionally, what caring looks like can vary. Carers may help with:
- Everyday tasks such as helping someone get out of bed.
- Personal care, such as bathing.
- Finance, administration, and planning, such as managing the bills and booking appointments.
- Getting out to meet friends or going to appointments.
- Domestic tasks such as cooking or cleaning.
- Providing emotional support and comfort.
- Managing someone’s condition, such as helping with managing medication.
- Communication.
Carers have access to certain rights. These are as follows:
- The right to unpaid carers leave.
- The right to flexible working hours.
- The right to ask your GP to identify you as a carer.
- The right (and choice) to request a free flu jab from the NHS.
- Protection against discrimination and harassment.
- The right to request a carers assessment.
- The right to be consulted when the person you care for is discharged from the hospital.
However, Carers Rights Day also serves as an important opportunity to help campaign for the rights of Carers to be further expanded and strengthened.
One way I have exercised my rights as a carer is by getting a carer’s assessment through Unpaid Carers Support Southampton, who operate as a part of Citizens Advice. This is a free service that aims to assess your role as a carer, how it may be impacting you and what support may be helpful for you going forward. Through the assessment, you can be registered as a carer, opening up the door to further support.
There are free support services and events for carers run by both Unpaid Carers Support Southampton and by the NHS, which is why it can also be helpful to discuss your caring role with your GP.
You may be eligible for Carers Allowance and may also be able to get support from your local council, a council tax reduction, Universal Credit and bursaries and grants.
You can get a free Carers Card from Unpaid Carers Support Southampton and access to low-cost Carers Cards and support services from Carers Card UK. Discounts for carers offer further deals.
Carers UK help run free support services, events, and awareness campaigns like today, and campaigns for greater recognition and support for carers across the country.
SUSU also run a Student Parent & Carer Network.
If you know someone who is a carer, you can help them by discussing their role with them, offering any other support if you are able to, and by being mindful if you are ill to help protect them and the person they care for.