About us
Our work stems from the fact carers often go about their roles despite the toll it might take on their own wellbeing, often having to make sacrifices that hamper their own ability to lead a normal life. Whether financial, educational or otherwise, we seek to limit the challenges that carers face. We achieve this through four core workstreams: raising awareness of carers, influencing local policy through community engagement activities, improving carer wellbeing and connecting carers to each other and to support and training opportunities through our services.
If you would like to find out more about our work and our plans for the future, read our long-term strategy here
Key Facts About Carers
How many carers are there?
While the 2021 Census recorded 5.7 million unpaid carers in the UK, a figure which was lower than the 2011 census, more recent research suggests the number is higher. For instance, a Carers Week 2023 report estimated that there are 10.6 million unpaid carers in the UK, which is about 1 in 5 people.
This discrepancy is largely because many people who provide care do not identify as "carers." A 2023 survey found that nearly three-quarters of people who have provided unpaid care in the UK have never identified themselves as a carer.
While a 2021 Census identified around 120,000 young carers in England and Wales, a 2019 BBC News and University of Nottingham study estimated there are as many as 800,000 young carers in secondary schools in England alone.
The Carers Trust has also highlighted the struggles of young carers, reporting that 40% of young carers and young adult carers feel they don't get the help they need to balance their caring responsibilities with their studies.
The contribution of carers
Our health and social care system relies on carers. New research from Carers UK and the Centre for Care estimates that the economic value of unpaid care in the UK is now a staggering £184 billion a year. To put this into perspective, this is almost equivalent to the combined NHS budget across the four nations of the UK. Despite this immense contribution, many carers feel unvalued.
Here in Lambeth, the 2021 census found that there are over 18,000 unpaid carers living in the borough. The data shows that the intensity of care is increasing, with 4,270 of these carers supporting people for 20 to 49 hours per week and a further 3,172 providing care for 50 hours or more.
The impact of caring
on carers
Caring can impact all aspects of carers' lives. These statistics from the Carers UK State of Caring reports give a snapshot of the wide variety of issues facing carers.
Juggling caring with day-to-day responsibilities
Carers are stretched to the limit trying to juggle everything. The State of Caring 2023 and 2024 reports found that 47% of carers provide care for 90 hours a week or more, which is an increase from previous years and a staggering amount of time.
Education and Career
Many carers are forced to make difficult career choices. The State of Caring 2023 report found that 32% of working-age carers had to give up work to care, and 27% had to reduce their working hours. An unsupportive workplace was cited as a reason for leaving employment by 20% of those who gave up their jobs.
Friendship and Relationships
Caring can be isolating. Over three-quarters of carers (79%) feel stressed or anxious, and half (50%) feel lonely. Many carers are cutting back on social connections—a key lifeline for their well-being. A significant number of carers (60%) have reduced the time they spend seeing family and friends.
Me Time
Caring can be isolating. Over three-quarters of carers (79%) feel stressed or anxious, and half (50%) feel lonely. Many carers are cutting back on social connections—a key lifeline for their well-being. A significant number of carers (60%) have reduced the time they spend seeing family and friends.r.
Access to support and services
A widespread lack of support is severely damaging carers' wellbeing. According to the State of Caring 2023 report, nearly three-quarters of carers (73%) with bad or very bad mental health continue to provide care, despite feeling at breaking point. The reports also highlight that 57% of carers experience long wait times for support, and 51% say that services were not available when they needed them.
Managing Stress and Poor Health
The impact on carers' mental and physical health is significant and growing. The State of Caring 2024 survey found a growing mental health crisis, with over a third of carers (35%) reporting poor or very bad mental health—a notable increase from the 27% figure in the previous year.
Similarly, 54% of carers said their physical health had suffered, with 22% reporting that caring had caused them injuries. Over three-quarters of carers (79%) feel stressed or anxious.
Money worries
Financial hardship is a major concern for many carers. The State of Caring 2023 report revealed that 45% of carers receiving Carer's Allowance were struggling to make ends meet, a significant increase from 39% the previous year. Furthermore, 46% of those receiving Carer's Allowance are cutting back on essentials like food and heating.
How we are addressing these needs
At Carers' Hub Lambeth we focus on four key objectives to help us make life better for carers in Lambeth. All of our projects and services are designed to address at least one of these areas. Read below to find out more or get in touch with one of the team.
Improve wellbeing
Caring for a loved one, family member, friend or neighbour, can have a significant impact on all aspects of a carer's life. Through peer support groups and one-to-one appointments, our dedicated and passionate team work with carers aged 5 and up to help overcome a range of challenges, including: managing at home; finances; caring with confidence; education and employment; physical health; and emotional wellbeing.
Increase connections
There’s a lot of support on offer in Lambeth, but these things can be difficult to find. We’re here to fill those gaps. We provide information on training courses, local services and help carers build connections with each other and their community. We also help professionals working with carers to connect with one another, through our Carers Collaborative Network.
Raise awareness
We believe that caring is everybody’s business. We work hard to raise awareness through outreach in the local community, social media and through our partnerships. Our work enables carers and our partners working in Lambeth to have a meaningful input to the development of a carers strategy in the borough.
Influence
We believe that the development of local policy, practice and services that affect carers should take carers’ experiences into account. For this reason, we raise awareness of carers, influencing local policy through community engagement activities. We play a key role in the development and delivery of the Lambeth Carers' Strategy.