66% of carers in Wales face challenges in taking breaks and looking after their mental or physical health, with 20% experiencing a decline in health due to their caring role.

Carers Week 2025 highlights these issues under the theme of 'Caring About Equality'. The week runs until June 16th.

Research shows the need for more financial support, breaks from caring, and access to social care for unpaid carers.

Unpaid carers in Wales who look after disabled, older or ill relatives feel disadvantaged and are unable to prioritise their own health needs, with many developing new mental and physical health conditions since they have started caring.

50% of current or former carers in Wales say they face disadvantages in looking after their mental or physical health.
A fifth (20%) of current or former carers in Wales said they had either a mental or physical health condition develop or become worse when they were doing unpaid care. 17% of current and former carers in Wales had postponed or cancelled a medical appointment, test, scan, treatment or therapy because of caring.

66% of current and former carers in Wales felt they faced disadvantages in taking breaks – a higher proportion than in other UK nations. 45% said they face disadvantage in relation to their finances; 35% said they face disadvantages in staying in work compared to non-carers in Wales.

Asked to look at the future and what would help address disadvantage, 52% of current andformer carers in Wales said higher levels of financial support from Government would help.

48% said having more breaks from caring would help, with 40% saying more access to social care would address the disadvantage carers face. There is also strong evidence that paid Carer’s Leave would help unpaid carers juggle paid work and care.

Rob Simkins, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers Wales said: “These findings unfortunately paint a picture all too familiar to unpaid carers in Wales and to the many people who support carers and campaign alongside them. What is particularly worrying is that carers in Wales seem to be struggling in key areas, like getting breaks from their caring role, compared to their counterparts in other UK nations.

“Given the importance of unpaid carers to the people they provide care for as well as our wider health and social care system, it is vital that governments in Wales and Westminster take urgent action to make life better for carers in Wales.”

Ariam Enraght-Moony, Chief People Officer, TSB said: “As the number of carers increase, so must our commitment to support them.

“That’s why, for the past five years, TSB has made it possible to balance work with caring responsibilities – providing 70 hours of paid carer’s leave every 12 months – plus wider support including access to a care management service to help navigate each step of the care journey.

“In light of this growing need and its impact on our economy, it’s time that paid carer’s leave was more widely available across the UK.”

Both the UK and Welsh Governments are urged to take urgent action to support carers in Wales.