Nearly half of unpaid carers in the UK are jeopardising their health due to a lack of support, and almost 90% have said that caring has had a negative impact on their mental health, according to a recent survey completed by 3,400 carers.
Eight charities, working in partnership for Carers week are calling for more sustainable social care funding, better access to support services and regular health checks to be offered to carers following the results of the survey.
To coincide with Carers week our latest online live discussion will explore what more can be done to support those who provide care for dependents. Should they receive more financial support? How should services be tailored to support carers as well as those they care for? What can we learn from current projects like carers aware in Dudley which helps providers understand how they can better support carers?
Join us from noon until 2pm on Tuesday 19 June to discuss this and more, or leave your questions ahead of the debate below. You can also tweet us your questions.
Panel
Jane Burt is the director of operation for Carers Trust. Prior to this, she managed a crossroads care scheme for a number of years.
Gerry Mahaffey is Marie Curie Cancer Care's head of carers services and engagement.
Kate Woodley cares for her grandmother and grandfather, and featured in a video on the network about Carers week.
Dr. Nic Hughes is a senior researcher at the health experiences research group at Oxford University, the group that conducts the research for Healthtalkonline.org. Nic is a former nurse who spent seven years working in palliative care education.
Hayley Jordan is senior policy and campaigns researcher at MS Society.
Stephen Lowe is policy adviser at Age UK.
Anna Passingham is the policy and research manager at Independent Age, the charity which provides information, advice and support for thousands of older people, their families and carers.
Madeleine Starr is Carers UK's head of innovation.
Anna Krala is Family Action's operational manager for greater Manchester and Cheshire.
This article is published by Guardian Professional. Join the social care network to receive regular emails and exclusive offers.
