Unpaid Carers Report

Healthwatch Thurrock were commissioned by Thurrock Council to speak to unpaid carers of all ages in Thurrock to shape Thurrock Council’s Carers Strategy Refresh. They spoke to 106 adult carers and 58 young carers via a survey and focus groups.

The health needs of those being cared for varied, some participants were caring for someone with dementia, some for a child on the autistic spectrum, some for individuals with addiction to drugs or alcohol, and others were caring for someone with a physical disability.

Adult carers described the following issues:

• The challenges of working whilst also caring for someone
• The challenges of navigating access to different services and having to tell their story over and over again.
• Half felt that they were insufficiently supported
• Accessing carers’ assessments
• Waiting lists for respite care
• The challenges of caring for someone during the Covid-19 pandemic
• Not being listened to as a carer
• Access to information as a carer
• Some services worked well for carers

Young carers described the following issues:

• Most were caring for a parent or sibling
• Nearly half spent at least 2 hours a week in carrying out caring responsibilities
• Most felt that being a carer impacted their life a great deal, including not being able to go out with friends from school or balancing school work with being a carer
• Two in five wanted more support for young carers at school
• Nearly a third felt they were stigmatised as young carers at school
• Over half felt the pandemic was stressful as it exacerbated concerns over their loved one and it was difficult to concentrate at home
• Four in five said that the most significant cause of stress was their loved one’s health condition and the wellbeing of their loved one
• Those young carers who had accessed the Young Carers service found it to be useful and they enjoyed the day trips and activities that were offered

The report contains recommendations to improve support for adult and young carers.