The NHS website defines a carer as: “A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support.”
It goes on to specify that they have to not be paid for their services.
Unpaid carers make up a large proportion of the healthcare workforce in the UK. With over 5 million currently in the country.
A 2022 report by the Carers Trust found that over 91% of unpaid family carers feel ignored by the government. 51% said they had to give up hobbies or personal interests because of their lifestyle as a carer.
ShefNews wanted to hear their side of the story, do they get enough support and what is life like as an informal carer.