Princess Royal Trust Tower Hamlets Carers Centre

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A carer is someone who, without payment, provides regular and substantial help and support to a friend, neighbour or relative who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.

Adult Carers (over 18 years)
Most carers would still not recognise themselves as being a 'carer'. They are just extraordinary people trying to cope as best they can whilst helping to look after an elderly relative who has developed Alzheimer's, a partner with Multiple Sclerosis or a child with cerebral palsy. They may even be doing their best to juggle paid work with their unpaid caring responsibilities at home. Many carers would say that being a carer is a fulfilling & satisfying role.

It is estimated that there are more than 6 million adult carers in the UK providing unpaid care to the value of £87 billion. In 2006-7 the total cost of the entire National Health Service was £82 billion. Total spending on Social Services in 2005-6 was £19.3 billion thus demonstrating the huge contribution that unpaid carers contribute to the social care system of the UK. (Valuing Care, Carers UK & University of Leeds, 2007)

Young Carers
There are also estimated to be 50,500 young carers in the UK - young people under the age of 18 who are denied the opportunity of a normal childhood because they are helping to look after a parent with physical disabilities or mental health problems, or who may be caring for a brother or sister with learning or other disabilities.

Some Young Carers may even be the sole carer trying to manage alone without any support and being bullied by their peers because they are seen to be different. Many are labelled non-achievers in school because no-one knows that they are Young Carers trying to do their best for their family often at the expense of their own education.

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