Carers Leeds Annual Survey 2022 findings

Today we are publishing a report based on our annual survey of unpaid adult and parent carers across the city.

523 unpaid carers responded to the survey, which asked what unpaid carers were most concerned about, their experiences as an unpaid carer and what matters most to them.

What the report tells us

The report tells a story of unpaid carers who are deeply concerned about their own health and wellbeing. Many are missing out on doing things for themselves, such as social activities or taking a break, because of their caring role. Too many unpaid carers in our city often or always feel lonely. A shocking number of unpaid carers in Leeds are feeling exhausted, depressed, and overwhelmed all or most of the time.

This is compounded by serious worries about money and the cost of living. Unpaid carers in Leeds said that they are struggling to make ends meet and are cutting back on essentials such as food and heating. Unpaid carers are worried about the future. Some may not be accessing the welfare benefits they may be entitled to and many who aren’t in work, would like to be.

We would like to thank everyone who responded to the survey and all involved in its production. If you would like a printed copy of the report or wish to discuss the findings, please email comms@carersleeds.org.uk.

Click here to read the 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

Key Stats

  • The top three concerns for unpaid carers in Leeds right now are: my own health and wellbeing; the changing needs of the person I care for and money and the cost of living. 
  • 62% of unpaid carers reported that caring had a negative impact on their physical health, 73% reported it had a negative impact on their mental health.  
  • 62% of unpaid carers reported always or frequently feeling stressed, overwhelmed or anxious. 
  • 44% of unpaid carers were always or mostly missing out on time for themselves or a break. 
  • 31% of unpaid carers reported feeling often or always lonely.  
  • 52% were worried about monthly living costs and whether they can manage in the future.  
  • Unpaid carers have gone without essentials such as keeping their home warm (24%) and skipping meals (21%). 
  • 29% of unpaid carers who are not in work, would like to be.

Recommendations

There is more we can do as a city, to better support unpaid carers. Based on the findings of the survey, the report has five recommendations:   

  • Ensure that any policies, partnerships, and initiatives focused on population health or reducing health inequalities in Leeds, recognise that unpaid caring can have a negative impact on health and wellbeing.
  • Better quality and availability of social care, which can adapt to people’s changing needs. Stronger recognition that good social care also has health and wellbeing benefits for unpaid carers, including supporting them to take a break or stay in work.
  • Develop a campaign to reach more, and more diverse carers sooner with the right information, advice and support. Led by Carers Leeds and involving stakeholders from across health and social care, it should recognise that we all have a role to play in identifying and supporting unpaid carers.
  • Greater availability of inclusive activities that an unpaid carer and cared for person can do together. Breaks are important for unpaid carers but we shouldn’t assume that social or wellbeing activities should be focused on spending time apart.
  • Ensure that initiatives targeted at the cost of living or poverty reduction, include unpaid carers. We need tailored employment support services to help unpaid carers return to work and information, advice and support for employers to help keep unpaid carers in work.

Claire Turner, Chief Executive of Carers Leeds said:

‘We know that providing unpaid care can be incredibly rewarding but it can also be hugely challenging. A significant number of unpaid carers who responded to our survey struggled to see any positives. The daily struggles and pressures, combined with worries about the future, are dominating many people’s caring experience.    

We can and we must do more to value and recognise unpaid carers in Leeds. If someone in our city is providing unpaid care for family, friends or neighbours, they must never do so at a cost to their own health and wellbeing, finances, or relationships. We must ensure that unpaid carers in Leeds have the information, advice and support they need to undertake their caring role and are able to live fulfilling lives.’  

Click here to read the report