Carers are people who look after family members of friends who need care, help and support, the care they provide is unpaid.  A carer can be any age and from any racial or social background.  Carers look after family, partners or friends in need of help because they are ill, frail or have a disability.

Some carers do not see themselves as carers, and see themselves more as a parent, husband, wife, partner, friend or neighbour.

A carer who looks after an 80 year old husband who has had a stroke may be facing different issues, problems from a 35 year old parent looking after a child with cerebal palsy; or a young carer who is helping her mother who has mental health problems.

Caring can be an all consuming commitment.  Carers situations vary greatly and each has different needs and demands on their time.  Some may care on a weekly basis, some daily and some 24 hours a day everyday.  Carers often devote large amounts of time and effort to care for others not as part of paid employment but on a voluntary basis.  Many carers undertake a caring role in addition to working, attending school or raising their own families.

Caring regularly takes place within the context of a relationship, it will involve a range of emotions, rewards, pleasures and difficulties.

Carers can often be isolated due to the nature of caring and can struggle to get out and about.  This can be further exacerbated by, not being able to work and gain income, being reliant on benefits for income and having their own health needs.

The range of support and services available should reflect the diversity of carers and their individual needs and circumstances.

Carers should be respected, admired, empowered and well supported in their often complex role.