You won’t be surprised to hear that many carers are struggling with the ongoing impact and negative legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic. The continued strain on social care services, many of which remain unavailable to carers, combined with the current cost of living crisis, have left carers urgently needing more support.

Tellingly, when asked about their needs, the impact of caring on their own physical and mental health has topped carers’ concerns for the first time, and millions are worried about their ability to cope financially.

Specifically in Wales, the research – based on national polling by YouGov – shows:

• 23% of the general public aged 18 and over are currently caring – the highest proportion across the UK. This means that there are currently an estimated 584,134 carers in Wales.
• 73% of people in Wales think that the role of unpaid carers is not valued by the general public – the highest in the UK with only one in five people, 22% thinking carers are valued.
• 86% of the public in Wales agree that in general the government in their country should provide additional support for unpaid carers such as increase financial support, invest in care and support services so unpaid carers can take a break, invest in social services etc.

We have agreed with the other charities supporting Carers Week to call for Government to develop a Recovery and Respite Plan dedicated to the needs of carers, including specific investment in their mental health support, prioritising carer’s leave, boosting carer’s incomes to reduce the risk of poverty and hardship, help with food and energy costs and, ahead of the winter, prioritisation in the vaccination programme.