The State of Unpaid Caring in Leeds.

Carers Leeds Annual Survey 2023 findings

Today we are publishing The State of Unpaid Caring in Leeds, based on our 2023 annual survey of unpaid adult and parent carers across the city.

679 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.

This included carers of different ages, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and carers with disabilities. Our 2023 survey had significantly more male respondents, carers from ethnic minority communities and LGBTQ+ carers, than our 2022 survey

What the report tells us

This report tells the true story of what it means to provide unpaid care in Leeds. Too many unpaid carers are feeling invisible and undervalued, and many are living in circumstances which are leaving them at breaking point. The findings of this year’s survey bring to the fore stubborn issues which are difficult to change, and the things we must pay most attention to, if we are really to make a difference to the lives of unpaid carers. These include carers’ own health and wellbeing, carer poverty, support for their caring role and to take a break from caring.

These issues are made worse by the squeeze on public finances and the impact on health and care services that carers, as well as the people their care for, rely on. Also, by a benefits system which is in desperate needs for reform, when it comes to carers. The Carers Allowance scandal, which has recently hit the headlines, highlights the inadequacy and unfairness of this benefit coupled with the punitive treatment of a group of people who made an enormous contribution to society.

Now, more than ever, we need to pay attention to what unpaid carers are telling us and act to ensure all carers in Leeds are recognised, valued and supported to live a fulfilling life.

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 report

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.
56% of unpaid carers reported than caring had a negative impact on their physical health, 70% reported it had a negative impact on their mental health.
55% of unpaid carers said they had given up opportunities at work because of caring.
38% of unpaid carers were always or mostly missing out on time for themselves or a break.
32% of unpaid carers reported feeling often or always lonely.
Unpaid carers have gone without essentials such as keeping their home warm (21%) and skipping meals (20%).

Recommendations

These five recommendations are based on the findings of the survey:

Public sector funding cuts – Include unpaid carers in equality impact assessments used to inform decisions to fund or cut health and care services, so that the risk of dis-investment – increased costs and demand for services (from the carer and the person with cared need) – is fully understood.

Health and wellbeing – Unpaid carers are now a priority within the Leeds Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Ensure that this results in action to address carer health inequalities, with a focus on transformation and strategic Health and Care projects in Leeds (e.g. Healthy Leeds Plan priority projects and Home First).
Money and the cost of living – Leeds initiatives targeted at the cost of living or poverty reduction should include unpaid carers. Local organisations to join with Carers Leeds to support a national campaign to reform the benefits system to better support carers. This should include raising the level of Carer’s Allowance, increasing its earnings limit, and introducing a taper.
Work and Unpaid Care – Design and deliver a tailored Leeds based employment support programme to help unpaid carers who want to work, return to work. Work with Carers Leeds to increase the number of ‘carer friendly’ employers across our city’. Ensure that work and unpaid care is visible in other local employer initiatives, such as the Fair Work Charter.

Claire Turner, Chief Executive of Carers Leeds said:

‘This report makes for difficult reading, but we need to tell the real story of care and make visible what is happening every day in our homes and communities, and the impact it can have on unpaid carers.

Unpaid carers are not ‘unsung heroes’ they are just people, living in our city, who have found themselves in this position. On the back of headlines about the Carers Allowance scandal, now, more than ever, we need to pay attention to what unpaid carers are telling us and act to ensure all carers in Leeds are recognised, valued and supported to live a fulfilling life.’