We want to know your story.
We are interested in:
•When and why did you become a carer?
•Who do you care for?
•How does being a carer make you feel?
•What could be done to make things easier for you?
These will be published here to shed a light on the true
lives of being a carer.
In October 2019, I moved in with my partner, along with my father and mother-in-law. Both my partner and I were employed full-time, while my partner's father who also worked full-time cared for his wife. Unfortunately, in December 2020, during the first wave of Covid-19, my father-in-law passed away.
Following this, my partner continued to work full-time, and as I had a better understanding of my mother-in-law's conditions, I became her full-time carer. Consequently, I relinquished my full-time position as a Warehouse Supervisor to look after her daily. I applied for Universal Credit, and was advised by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to claim Carer's Allowance.
During this process, I learned about unpaid carers facing court actions for alleged fraud, which was deeply concerning. I became one of the 5.9 million unpaid carers receiving £81.90 per week for their caregiving services.
Unpaid carers save the national economy over £163 billion annually, yet they receive only £2.56 per hour. The DWP was prosecuting these individuals for errors not of their making.
In June 2024, I initiated a petition urging the Prime Minister to halt these prosecutions.
The petition garnered over 50,000 signatures, and in October 2024, the Prime Minister announced that prosecutions would cease, he would review Carer's Allowance, and investigate how overpayments of Carer's Allowance occurred.
Although this was a significant achievement, carers continue to face financial difficulties. Many carers struggle to fund their bills due to inadequate financial support. Despite their contributions to the nation, the government benefits from these savings, leaving carers with insufficient resources.
This is why I founded this organisation—to support carers in their pursuit of financial freedom, enabling them to continue providing care for their loved ones without being exploited as financial resources.
Together, as an organisation, we can advocate for the necessary changes to protect carers. Just as positive action led to the successful petition, it can lead to positive reactions and lasting change.
Leo Cleary
Founder of the National Unpaid Carers Union and Forum