Unpaid carers should not be the 'forgotten army'

A Kent man has helped start a campaign to raise awareness of the rights of working family carers.

Chris Jeffery from Tunbridge Wells, said the support that carers need from the government and employers "is just as important" as the support for the people they look after.

Mr Jeffery has been working with Kent County Council (KCC) to create the 'Working carers - someone's listening' campaign.

He said that having a voice was important for the "forgotten army of carers".

Mr Jeffery, who has been both a carer for his late father and someone who receives care from his wife, said: "Working carers may not receive Carers' Allowance because they work too many hours.

"With an estimated five million carers in the UK balancing work and unpaid care, we have to make sure we are getting out to employers to make them aware of the issues carers face in the workplace – and the resources available to help."

The charity Carers UK said the most recent census in 2021 found that there were 5.8 million unpaid carers in the UK

It said 1.7m people in the UK were providing 50 or more hours of care per week and that women are more likely to provide care than men with 59% of unpaid carers being female.

Mr Jeffey said carers need the ability to maintain their wellbeing and health while working and supporting the person they care for when they return home

"They're doing their best to keep going - juggling work and caring without letting down the person they care for or even their employer," he said.

A spokesperson for KCC said: "A carer's role can make paid work, study, maintaining social connections and getting involved in leisure activities difficult and sometimes almost impossible.

"Carers are more likely to suffer with physical, emotional and mental health problems"

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