Maryann (left) has been a carer for 16 years since her mum suffered a brain haemorrhage following an operation, leaving her unable to do most things for herself and needing 24-hour care
"When mum took ill it was a complete and utter shock to our whole family but we just had to manage and get on with it," she says. "Caring for my mum is a 24-hour job. I would say to new carers, don't feel isolated and lonely and don't do things on your own whenever there is help out there.”
Photograph: Carers UK
Sherry and Terry have two sons, William and George. William has cerebral palsy and needs round-the-clock care. They both work full-time, but on alternate shifts, so that someone is always there for William.
“As William has got bigger and heavier it has made the physical part of caring so much harder," says Sherry. "I’ve recently been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and I worry about the impact on my long-term ability to care.”
Photograph: Carers UK
Ian cares for his wife Sheila, who has Picks disease, a form of early-onset dementia, and his mother Norrie, who also has dementia. He juggles caring for Sheila and Norrie with working three days a week.
“I'm not that patient a person and caring is quite difficult for me," he says. "You really have to take it a step at a time, I don't think people on the whole appreciate how hard it is.”
Photograph: Carers UK
As well as running their own business, John and Jean care for their son James, who is 25. James has multiple disabilities and has needed full-time care all his life. John and Jean also help to look after Jean’s mother, who has dementia.
“It has taken over our lives; everything revolves around caring for James," says John. "You can’t just bring a babysitter in because of James’s epilepsy and autism - something could happen.”
Photograph: Carers UK
As well as looking after their disabled son, James, John and Jean also help to look after Jean’s mother, who has dementia and recently moved to a care home, having been cared for at home by John and Jean for three years.
Photograph: Carers UK
Sue left her own home over two years ago to move in with and care for her mother Audrey, who has Alzheimer’s disease.
Sue says: “You feel guilty for most of the time; no matter how much you do, you still don’t think you are doing enough, but at the end of the day you do it because you love the person you are caring for.”
Photograph: Carers UK
Yasmine gave up her job as a youth worker to care full-time for her elderly parents, who are in their 70s. Her father suffers from advanced dementia and has had several strokes, and her mother has arthritis and both of her hips have been replaced.
She says: “Caring is a constant battle, it feels like a war zone when you’re trying to get yourself heard. As a carer I feel like I’m going to have a nervous breakdown every day. You’re holding an umbrella over so many things. I’m not just a carer, I’m a lawyer, a manager, a care assistant. We’re not given enough support. It really wears you down.”
Photograph: Carers UK
