I've been doing research on the needs & experiences of unpaid carers for 12 years, across four countries.
For #CarersWeek, a 🧵of the Top 5 messages that have consistently come out of every piece of research I've done:
For #CarersWeek, a 🧵of the Top 5 messages that have consistently come out of every piece of research I've done:
(1) Carers need respite. And that respite needs to be regular (weekly at a minimum) and fully funded.
(2) Carers want to stay in paid employment, but when that's not possible they need a Carer's Allowance (and/or other state support) that doesn't force them into poverty.
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(2) Carers want to stay in paid employment, but when that's not possible they need a Carer's Allowance (and/or other state support) that doesn't force them into poverty.
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(3) Carers need to be believed, trusted, and treated with respect by health, social care & education professionals.
(4) Carers need to be supported - emotionally & practically - by friends and family.
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(4) Carers need to be supported - emotionally & practically - by friends and family.
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(5) Carers need a safe space to share thoughts of suicide & homicide without judgement, shame, or persecution.
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(okay, Top 7)
(6) Love is not enough. And not all care is an act of love. So political & charitable narratives that emphasise love as a motivation or a protective factor will never lead to the kind of changes required to truly support carers and those for whom they care.
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(6) Love is not enough. And not all care is an act of love. So political & charitable narratives that emphasise love as a motivation or a protective factor will never lead to the kind of changes required to truly support carers and those for whom they care.
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(7) When caring at home is no longer the best or safest option, residential care must be available and it must be age-appropriate, financially viable, high-quality, and full-time.
End 🧵
End 🧵
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