UNPAID carers in Worcestershire are being celebrated this week in a national campaign to raise awareness of the growing number, which according to official figures , apply to over 63,000 residents.

Carers Week, will be running till June 13, in a bid to recognise, support and celebrate unpaid carers, with 1 in 7 workers leaving jobs to look after loved ones.

Carole Cumino, chief executive for Worcestershire Association of Carers, said: ‘The last year or so has been an exceptionally difficult time for carers – many more people have taken on a caring role and many carers tell us that they’re feeling more isolated and stressed than ever. Carers Week provides an opportunity to help more people recognise that they have a caring role, and this week and always we want to encourage people to make themselves known. And if you’re not sure whether you’re a carer or not, get in touch with us – there is help out there, but we need to know who you are".

Carers across the country have had to face new challenges the past year as a result of the pandemic. Anne Duddington, an unpaid carer from Worcester, said: "I have been an unpaid carer for 33 years now and although it isn't a path in life that I ever thought I would be travelling down - having to give up my nursing career to look after my severely disabled son is just one example. Carers Week is a great way of highlighting our unique, but little heard of, contribution to health and social care services".

In a 2018 survey carried out by Carers UK, 72% of carers said they had suffered mental health issues and 61% suffered poor physical health as a result of caring.