The first, Valuing Carers 2021/22, published in partnership with the Centre for Care, finds that unpaid carers are now providing care worth a staggering £184 billion a year. This huge increase - up nearly £65 billion since 2011 - is because families are providing more care than ever before.

The second report, State of Caring 2024: The impact of caring on employment, supported by TSB Bank, examines people's experiences of juggling work and care since the introduction of the Carer's Leave Act in April 2024, using findings from our State of Caring Survey 2024. This reveals that more than half (56%) of working carers cannot afford to take their entitlement to unpaid Carer's Leave, and that 78% say they need a statutory right to paid Carer's Leave to better help them juggle work and care.

Following their report earlier this year, they are continuing to call on the Government to introduce a statutory right to five days of paid Carer's Leave. They are working hard to secure this change which would benefit over two million carers, and we will keep you updated with news of this campaign.

If you have any questions about their latest research, please contact policy@carersuk.org.

The Government are consulting on the NHS 10 Year Plan. Join Carers Trust’s online Focus Group for Network Partners and carers on Wednesday 27 November, 10am – 11.30am to shape their response. This will be your chance to share your experiences and insights to ensure that Carers Trust’s response to the consultation reflects the needs of local carer organisaitons and the carers you support. Email Ramzi Suleiman to RSVP.

You can hear Ana explain the background to her book:

From Carers Trust

My name is Liz, and I work with young carers like Leila, who shoulder responsibilities no child should have to bear. 

Leila is only 13, but she thinks like a 17-year-old. She spends her days caring for her blind father, supporting her mother, who doesn’t speak English, and looking after her younger brother. 

Every morning, before she heads off to school, she makes breakfast, chops fruit, and makes sure her dad is ready to face the day. After school, she translates letters, reads council notices, and helps with household tasks. She interprets medical letters and handles phone calls that no 13-year-old should have to manage. 

It can be incredibly tough, especially around Christmas, when most children look forward to presents, activities and festive cheer. For Leila, the season brings the same stress and responsibilities as every other day.

And this is why I’m asking for your help today. Your support can give children like Leila a much-needed break — allowing them to enjoy the simple joy of being a child.

Read more...

Find out how you can support KCN directly

From the Benefact Group

The Benefact Group, does financial services differently – we give all available profits to charity and good causes.

Movement for Good is our annual programme of giving that anyone can get involved in, and again this year we’ll be donating over £1 million to charities and good causes nominated by you.

Nominate KCN now!

Caring for someone with an illness, disability, mental health condition, or substance misuse is a challenge at any age but for young carers, it can mean balancing school, social lives, and personal development alongside responsibilities at home. Kingston Carers’ Network support over 4000 adult carers with a further 900 young people registered with their Young Carers’ Project, offering support, guidance, and a sense of belonging to these incredible young people.

To honour their resilience and celebrate their ambitions, the Young Carers’ Project hosted its second Party Conference on Saturday 2^nd November. This year’s theme was ‘Dream Big!’ and with the generous support of Chessington World of Adventures, the event brought together more than 200 young carers and professionals for a memorable day filled with fun, friendship, and ambition. For many attendees, it was their first-ever visit to a theme park, and the joy on their faces made the day unforgettable!

The venue was bursting with excitement from the very start, with young carers greeted by a Gruffalo and an animated hippo that instantly brought smiles to all. This festive atmosphere set the stage for a day packed with highlights.

Young carers delighted in a thrilling magic show, along with balloonists, glitter tattooists, and a photo booth to capture precious memories. Fearless young carers took to the stage for dance and drama performances as well as sharing inspiring personal stories, with young carers talking about their unique experiences and challenges. Guest speakers, including Sir Ed Davey, added further inspiration, offering heartfelt messages of support and encouragement.

Workshops were also a highlight, particularly a young carer stone-painting session inspired by the theme Dream Big. These will be turned into an art sculpture which will be displayed outside of Guildhall. Prizes added a touch of excitement, with lucky winners from our creative competition taking home rewards, including a brand-new laptop.

The conference also featured a special book launch of a picture story book made specially for young carers by the author Ana Graca who gave out free copies from a special bunny rabbit themed stall. Some of the youngest young carers on the project helped Ana with ideas for the story and even chose the name for the book and its main character.  

One of the attendees, Helen, aged 18, who has been part of the Young Carers’ Project since she was just five, summed up the day beautifully, “It was an eye-opening, inclusive, productive day, with the chance to meet so many amazing people within our community and express to others just how great the Young Carers’ Project is.”

Fulfilling Dreams and Creating New Opportunities

Since the conference, we’ve already seen young carers beginning to realise their dreams. The winner of our creative competition is now on their way to becoming a content creator, thanks to professional coaching from a digital firm. Another young carer who dreams of being an artist now has access to art supplies thanks to a generous, anonymous donor.  A young carer dreaming of becoming a mechanic has been offered hands-on experience and the dance and drama team who performed at the conference have even been treated to a trip to a London show, fuelling their dreams of one day performing on stage themselves.

Looking to the Future

In recent years, the Young Carers Project have seen a tremendous increase in the demand for their services for young carers. However, this growth has also put significant strain on the team and their resources. With two major grant extensions ending, they are facing challenges that may limit their ability to support these young carers as fully as they need. If you can support the project whether this be by financial means or volunteering then please get in contact. 

The conference demonstrated that, with the right support, young carers can pursue and achieve their dreams. Kingston Carers’ Network is immensely proud of these inspiring young people, and we look forward to seeing where their journey takes them next. This event reminds us all that young carers may face unique challenges, but with community support, their potential is limitless. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Chessington World of Adventures and all who contributed to making this day special. Together, we’re helping young carers dream big and realise their full potential.

"We’re looking for an enthusiastic volunteer/volunteers to take part in filming for our exciting NHS App campaign. We’re looking for someone who has used the NHS App to manage the healthcare of both themselves and someone they care for, and would be happy to talk about the benefits of the app on camera. We would ideally like to film the video by late November and our videographer can come to you. You can take a look at a similar video we created earlier this year for an idea of what we’re looking to film: https://youtu.be/pLbt-xgwKWE?si=NEFSayGUwD8wwclt

So, if you’re passionate about the NHS App, we’d love to hear from you! As a token of our thanks, we’ll be offering a small shopping voucher."

My name is Layla, and I am currently pursuing a Master's in Sustainable Design at Kingston University. I am working on a project titled 'Design for Ageing', which aims to develop thoughtful and effective solutions that support older individuals and their caregivers. My research specifically focuses on understanding and addressing the needs of informal caregivers for people with dementia and nutrition, with the goal of creating meaningful and practical assistance for them.

I’ve been finding it a bit challenging to connect with informal caregivers, and I wanted to see if you might be able to assist. I’d appreciate any help in reaching out to caregivers, or even I could share a questionnaire that they might complete at their convenience, whatever you think is best. This will help me gain a deeper understanding of their needs, which will enable me to develop an effective and thoughtful design solution in response.

Just add Kingston Carers’ Network as your chosen cause in the Co-op App. Here’s how:
1. Open your Co-op App and tap the Community icon in the bottom-right corner.
2. Use the filter to select the category “People: Supporting young people to fulfil their potential.”
3. Scroll down until you find “Kingston Carers’ Network - Young Carers Project” (we’re 12th on the list).

Your support will make a huge difference—thank you!

Learn More

Responding to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget statement, Carers Trust CEO, Kirsty McHugh, said:

“Today’s Budget provides some hope for unpaid carers. A rise in the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit is a welcome step that will help tens of thousands of people to balance work and caring.

"However, it remains the lowest benefit of its kind with complex eligibility criteria that just don’t work for carers."

"We hope the changes announced today and the Government's review of Carer's Allowance overpayments will be the first steps towards a desperately needed overhaul of this totally inadequate benefit."

“The renewal of the Household Support Fund will also be a relief for tens of thousands of carers living in poverty who need financial help."

"However, it is concerning that we have yet to see meaningful action taken on social care or any details of the Government’s plans."

"The system is broken, piling pressure on carers while the local carer organisations who support them are struggling to meet demand."

"The hike to employer National Insurance contributions will see the operating costs of those carer organisations soar while local government remains squeezed, driving some to the brink."

"The Government has to recognise the value of these services to carers, those they care for and the wider health and care system."

"These crucial services must be properly funded before it’s too late.”

You may also be interested in 

Social Welfare Training's At a Glance Guide to Benefit Changes in the Autumn Budget 2024

The hub, which has been a designated warm space for local residents during the worst of the winter also offers a subsidised hot lunch prepared freshly by the hub’s cook as well as access to volunteers, a Department of Work and Pensions benefit advisor, carers advice and a health visiting drop-in for those with children and babies under five.

It’s been fantastic to see the hub develop. It started with just me and now we have other services regularly joining us, as well as the lunch club and support groups. It’s a great space with fabulous volunteers.”

Zerrin Buckle, Social Prescribing Network Lead

Zerrin Buckle, Social Prescribing Network Lead working out of the nearby New Malden and Worcester Park Primary Care Network, attends the hub each week and has been responsible for bringing other helpful services on board. Zerrin explained: “As a social prescriber I am equipped to help patients will all different aspects of their health and wellbeing, whether that is the effects of loneliness and isolation or worry and anxiety that are stemming from financial hardship. Being able to reach out to the community this way has been really helpful. Often people are more relaxed in this setting and I can speak to those that may not have known what social prescribers can offer and never have made an appointment to see me. It’s been fantastic to see the hub develop. It started with just me and now we have other services regularly joining us, as well as the lunch club and support groups. It’s a great space with fabulous volunteers.”

As a GP I will often see patients who need the type of support that can’t be solved with a prescription and although I can offer a sympathetic ear a social prescriber is often far better equipped to harness the considerable power of our local community and make real change to a person’s life.”

Nick Merrifield, Kingston GP

Kingston GP, Nick Merrifield, added: “As a GP I will often see patients who need the type of support that can’t be solved with a prescription and although I can offer a sympathetic ear a social prescriber is often far better equipped to harness the considerable power of our local community and make real change to a person’s life. The Living Well Hub has helped extend this support further into our local community and we are really pleased with how it is working out.”

Social prescribing for Kingston in Kingston is run in part by local charity Staywell with others employed directly by their PCNs.

One local resident who regularly attends the hub said: “As a support worker, I went in to enquire about what help could be given, I left with food bank vouchers, debt advice and a slimmer’s world code for 12 weeks for the vulnerable adult I support and myself”

The Living Well Hub runs 11am-2pm every Thursday and everyone is welcome.