What is loneliness? It is experienced by 8 out of 10 unpaid carers according to recent research by Carers UK. And our beneficiaries experience it daily. It’s an emotion After Umbrage is acutely aware. Every day our work involves combatting loneliness for unpaid carers.
How do you define loneliness?
Loneliness is defined by researchers as feeling lonely more than once a week. Loneliness causes people to feel empty, alone and unwanted. People who are lonely often crave human contact, but their state of mind makes it more difficult to form connections with other people. 8 in 10 unpaid carers feel ‘lonely and socially isolated’ research by Carers UK shows.
Carers give huge amounts of time and energy to support loved ones who would otherwise struggle and the feeling of being ‘on your own’ makes life much harder for them.
What action does After Umbrage take to combat this?
Over 220 unpaid carers and their families have stayed at Kingham Cottage for a free break since 2015. They tell us that there is a magic at the cottage because so many carers – like themselves – have enjoyed a holiday there. They appreciate that a small charity is caring for them as carers, significant when they devote immense time and energy caring for their loved one. In turn, carers collectively save the UK economy the equivalent of a second NHS: £132 billion every year.
What is the impact of this?
We believe that every unpaid carer deserves a free break. The benefits to their mental and physical health are manyfold. Furthermore, our beneficiaries rate their wellbeing at a 100% higher level after their visit compared to before.
We provide a short-term intervention that is long lasting as happy memories are created and they linger for many years.
Like to stay in touch? What to help us combat loneliness for unpaid carers?
We are keen to stay in touch with like-minded people who what to give unpaid carers a louder voice. You might be seeking to join in with Carers Week coming up on the 7th to 13th June, 2021? We are! Also, we would love to hear from you and invite you to sign up for our newsletter.