Carers Awareness

What is a carer?

An adult who provides, or intends to provide care for another adult. More specifically, this is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member, who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or addiction and cannot cope without their support.

What is a young carer?

A child or young person under the age of 18 years who provides, or intends to provide care for another adult who is unable to cope without their support.

Facts and Figures

• In the UK, there are over 6.4million carers.
• By 2045, the number of carers is expected to increase to 34million.
• It is estimated the number of carers in Lincolnshire to be 79,262 (1 in 9 of the population) aged between 5-91years old.
• There are an estimated 4000 young carers in Lincolnshire.

Many carers in both the Lincolnshire area and Nationally do not actually realise that they fall under the term 'carer' as they feel that what they are doing is 'the right thing' or 'what they are expected to do for their family or friends'.