A leading regional charity supporting unpaid carers has published a new report revealing that many go unrecognised and unsupported when there were chances to help them.
Caring Together Charity’s latest annual Carers Speak Out report, entitled Slipping Through the Net, has been published ahead of the national Carers Week 2026 (8-14 June).
The report from the charity, which supports unpaid carers across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk, draws on testimonies from unpaid carers submitted through their online Carers Speak Out platform, with many feeling exhausted, ignored and left to cope alone.
Carers described experiences of “years without any recognition”, “total neglect” and being told to “just do the best you can”. Many said they felt invisible despite providing vital care that saves the UK economy an estimated £184 billion every year.
One unpaid carer supporting his wife with dementia said, “People think caring for my wife, six years into her dementia journey is difficult, but it isn’t, not really. The difficult bit is constantly having to battle a broken system, to get the help, support and education I need to do my job.”
Another carer said, “I am a single mum to a learning-disabled daughter. We have no relatives and few friends who understand. I felt ignored and expected to continue until I dropped.”
Young carers are also spotlighted in the report, which finds that many do not recognise themselves as carers until identified by schools or professionals.
Caring Together Charity warns that many more young carers remain hidden, struggling under the pressure of caring responsibilities while missing out educational opportunities and childhood experiences that most youngsters can take for granted.
The charity is calling for improved identification of unpaid carers by GP surgeries, hospitals and schools, greater involvement of carers in decision-making, expanded respite provision and stronger emotional wellbeing support for carers.
Miriam Martin, Caring Together Charity Chief Executive, said, “Unpaid carers are the backbone of our health and social care system, yet too many feel invisible and unsupported.
“This report makes clear carers are reaching breaking point. We need organisations, professionals and policy makers to listen, recognise carers’ expertise and ensure they no longer slip through the net.”
The full Slipping Through the Net report is available here.
