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The national context

Question:
The national context
Answer:
  1. Each year millions of people take on caring responsibilities as the population ages and the number of people with a limiting long-term illness increases, this means that caring will touch the lives of most people, as we either require care or provide care to loved ones, at some point in our lives.
  2. There were approximately 6.5 million people providing unpaid care in the UK in 2011, representing a growth of 620,000 unpaid carers since 2001. It is estimated that we will see a 40% rise in the number of carers needed by 2037, meaning that the carer population could reach 9 million.
  3. It is thought that one in five people are providing unpaid care, with the peak age for caring between 50-64.
  4. Whilst most carers want to provide care for their loved ones when they need it, the responsibility for providing care can have a wide-ranging health, wellbeing and economic impact. National research indicates that carers experience poorer health than the norm.
  5. Carers report that it has an impact on their mental wellbeing and physical health, yet many carers put off seeking medical help because of the demands of their caring role. The most common issues are fatigue (including lack of sleep), stress, depression and physical strain. Carers report feeling socially isolated and many lose touch with their families and friends.
  6. There are estimated to be at least 376,000 young adults with caring responsibility aged 16-25. Young adults with caring responsibilities appear to be more than four times more likely to drop out of their college or university course than their peers.
  7. Children are not exempt from caring. The average age of a young carer in the UK is 12, with some children as young as four undertaking a caring role. The Children’s Society report that many young carers remain hidden for a number or reasons, including loyalty to family, stigma, bullying and not knowing where to go for support.
  8. In a survey by the Carers Trust, it was reported that only half of young carers have a designated person at school who recognises that they are a carer and provides support. Reportedly young carers on average miss or cut short 48 school days per year because of their caring role.

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