Unpaid carers are often not able to work because of their caring role, not because they don't want to or are themselves unable to hold employment.

An unpaid carer is a person who provides care and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who is disabled, has an illness or long-term condition, or who needs extra help as they grow older.  They provide many tasks for many hours, usually more than most paid jobs. They save the UK government billions of pounds by doing what they do and prevent millions of disabled people going into care or hospital.

However, when completing forms and describing their employment status, unpaid carers usually have no choice than to tick the UNEMPLOYED box on forms.

This petition is asking for 'Unpaid Carer' to be an option as an employment status, and for large organisations and businesses to lead by example to allow Unpaid Carers the recognition, respect and dignity they are well overdue.

To identify as an Unpaid Carer should be a proud moment, representing a workforce that save the government the equivalent of the entire cost of the NHS every year, selflessly caring for another individual, often for many years, with great responsibility and more skill than most people realise. 

Government, ICBs and local authorities are urging carers to come forward and be recognised, yet the majority of forms and applications today still do not reflect this.

Now is the time to act to change perceptions of the Unpaid Carer, and value them as we did for NHS and paid carers during the pandemic. We don't want claps, we want signatures, to change our status from Unemployed to Unpaid Carer.

If you wish to contact Essex Carers Network about learning disabilities, hearing the voice of families or working to achieve good lives for all, email info@essexcarersnetwork.co.uk or see our website www.essexcarersnetwork.co.uk  

 Thank you.