Kim George from Gloucestershire County Council explains why recognising yourself as an unpaid carer is the first step to getting the support you deserve.

Unpaid carers play a crucial role in everyday life, providing vital support to family or friends who need help due to frailty, illness, disability or addiction.

However, many people who provide care never identify as a carer – they see it as part of being a spouse, parent, sibling or friend.

You’re not alone
If you provide regular support to someone who could not manage without you, you’re an unpaid carer. And you’re not alone. According to the 2021 Census, there are more than 52,000 unpaid carers in Gloucestershire. However, the actual number is likely to be much higher.

Early recognition
Unpaid carers face lots of challenges – from financial pressures and navigating complex care systems, to maintaining their career and finding time to live their own lives.

These challenges can take an emotional toll. Many carers experience feelings of guilt, isolation or anxiety, especially when trying to balance their caring role with other responsibilities.
Carers often delay seeking help until they reach crisis point. This can lead to increased stress and burnout. That’s why earlier identification as an unpaid carer is a crucial first step to accessing help and support.

Support services
Unpaid carers in Gloucestershire have access to support services to help them manage their responsibilities and maintain their wellbeing.

In particular, the Gloucestershire Carers Hub, commissioned by the Council, offers emotional support, practical advice and activities such as support groups, mindfulness sessions and social events – available to join in person or online.

The Carers Hub can also arrange a free Carer’s Assessment. The assessment isn’t a test, it’s a conversation. It looks at how caring affects your life and explores ways to support your wellbeing such as respite care or help with daily tasks.

Another valuable source of support is The Care Advice Line, which provides independent guidance about all aspects of care including financial and legal matters.

Getting help
Caring for someone can be rewarding, but it can also be exhausting and overwhelming. Many carers don’t know where to start when looking for help.

Jane spent years supporting her husband through Parkinson’s disease without realising she was entitled to help. “I just thought I was doing what any wife would do,” she said. “But once I recognised that I was a carer, everything changed. I got support and felt less alone.”

If you think you might be an unpaid carer, or already know that you are, there’s help available on the Council’s website or by contacting Gloucestershire Carers Hub or The Care Advice Line.
A simple phone call could be the start of getting the support you deserve.

To find out more, visit gloucestershire.gov.uk/unpaid-carers

Gloucestershire Carers Hub: 0300 111 9000
Mon, Wed & Fri: 9am-5pm
Tues & Thurs: 8am-8pm

The Care Advice Line: 01452 222 200
Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm