Caring behind closed doors: six months on. The continued impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on unpaid carers

There were up to 9.1 million unpaid carers across the UK before the COVID-19 pandemic, providing everything from a few hours of support a week to intensive and complex round the clock care.  The pandemic has resulted in millions of new carers – 4.5 million new to caring since the start of the pandemic, 2.8 million of whom are juggling work and care. Caring can have significant costs, and without sufficient support it can take its toll on carers’ emotional and physical health, ability to work and have a knock-on effect on their long-term finances. Carers have been hit particularly hard as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As this research shows many have had to make extremely difficult decisions about work and family.

Carers are providing even more care than six months ago; Needs have increased; Fewer breaks and no breaks; Worse health and wellbeing; Worried about winter; Exhausted and worn out; Struggling financially; Work – a mixed picture; Digital differences; Some positives during caring