Carers are ordinary people whose lives change because they are looking after relatives or friends who, because of disability, illness or the effects of old age, cannot manage at home without help.

• 1 in 8 people in the UK is a Carer
• 24% of people aged 45-64 are Carers
• 32% of carers provide 20 or more hours of care per week
• Up to 51,000 children may be Carers

It is estimated that there are up to 35,076 Carers in the Wakefield District. Some Carers provide just a few hours care a week, for others it is a 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week job. The person cared for may live with the Carer, just around the corner, or some distance away.  

Caring can be rewarding and satisfying but it can also be tiring and stressful.