As a carer, you survive to care for loved ones

Stories from the front line as fiqures reveal poverty crisis hitting thousands

- BY KATE SKELTON

An unsung army of unpaid carers are saving the public purse around £184billion a year by putting their own lives on hold while they look after vulnerable loved ones.

But despite the enormous contribution they make to society, they are 50% more likely than the rest of the population to live in poverty, according to shocking new figures released today.

At the start of National Carers' Week, Carers UK chief executive Helen Walker said: "Many carers feel unrecognised facing a greater risk of poverty, social isolation and poor mental and physical health."

At £83.30 a week, Carers' Allowance is the lowest benefit of its kind, meaning 400,000 unpaid carers live in extreme poverty.

An estimated 600 people a day quit work to care for a loved one. More than 40% of current or former unpaid carers have developed a health problem or had an existing condition worsen.

Andy McGowan, from the Carers Trust, says young carers are 86% less likely to get a degree. He adds: "It's vital they get academic, pastoral and financial support."

There are three million people providing more than 35 hours of unpaid care a week in the UK - here are some of their stories...

Respect us, our stress is ongoing

Former mental health trainer Emma Amoscato, 43, from Bedfordshire, who has daughter Amalia, nine, and son James, 12, was a carer for her husband Carl, who was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2017 and died in September last year. She cares for James, who has AuDHD, a combination of autism and ADHD.

Emma says: "Being a carer can be all-consuming. I home educate as the school couldn't meet my son's needs. This impacts my ability to work.

"I feel the stress of caring in my muscles and gut. It has affected my periods and sleep. The Carer's Allowance is minimal.