A Carer is someone who helps another person in their day to day life. This is usually a relative or friend. It is not the same as someone who provides care professionally or through a voluntary organisation.
Many people do not recognise themselves as carers. They can be any age; they are parents, grandparents, children, partners, friends or neighbours doing what needs to be done to maintain the quality of life for someone close to them. They may not realise that support is available to help them.
According to Carers UK there are around seven million carers in the UK – that is one in eight people. This is rising. Three in five people will be carers at some point in their lives in the UK. Out of the UK's carers 42% are men and 58% are women.
In the recent census 2021, approximately 14, 875 unpaid carers were identified in York, that is, 8 % of the city’s population. 6,248 people were providing more than 20 hours of unpaid care a week in 2021 – including 3,803 people doing so for more than 50 hours a week.
Being a Carer
Carers provide regular, unpaid help to someone close to them due to frailty, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.
Carers may help with:
- personal care (washing, bathing, dressing, feeding)
- medication
- cooking
- shopping
- housework
- emotional support
York Carers Strategy
The strategy for York Carers 2019-2024 has been written by the Carers Strategy Group. This a group of people from health and social care organisations, including the council and healthcare professionals, charities, families and carers themselves. The strategy details how York would like to see the lives of carers improved in the coming years.
Download a copy of the York Carers strategy 2019 - 2024
Supporting Action Plans detailing how the goals of the Strategy aim to be achieved and by whom have been written and are based around the following three themes:
- THEME 1: I recognise myself as a carer, as do others, and I know who to turn to when I need help.
- THEME 2: I am supported in my caring role, and am able to live a life of my own.
- THEME 3: My voice is heard, and my feedback makes a genuine difference.
Copies of the Action Plans can be obtained by request by emailing allagecommissioning@york.gov.uk.
