Over 5.8 million people provide unpaid care in England and Wales. For some, caring for loved ones can mean around-the-clock care, for others it may be a few hours a week; in the same home or at a distance. Carers make an enormous contribution to society and save the economy billions of pounds.
Caring for someone is hard, and can have health and wellbeing consequences for those people providing care. Many people who care for others do not identify themselves as carers and do not access the support and information that is available to them.