An interesting read following on from our Outside In session on Unpaid Carers.
The Resolution Foundation’s Report new report, ‘Unsung Britain: Don’t forget about us’ highlights the challenges faced by the millions of people who have a disability or provide unpaid care. Disability disproportionately affects the poorer half of Britain, and the impact of these inequalities extends further when we consider the family and friends who take on caring responsibilities. A key reason is that caring often prevents people from remaining in paid work.
Every day, 600 people leave paid employment to provide care (Carers UK), often at the peak of their careers. In our session, Lived Experts spoke about how difficult – or impossible – it was to juggle work with caring. As one carer supporting her terminally ill husband shared, “I literally sacrificed my life to look after him.”
And yet, carers develop an incredible set of skills in a short period of time, managing complex financial admin, navigating health and social care systems, and taking on medical responsibilities.
The report calls for reform in the social security system to better support disabled people and carers, not only while they are providing care but also once the caring role ends. Our discussions also showed a real opportunity for employers to act with greater flexibility and compassion to their employees going through an emotionally, mentally and physically challenging time, which in turn can help to reduce both the income and the wellbeing gap between carers and their peers.