GoodOaks Homecare has launched a new campaign to support the nation’s struggling unpaid carers.

‘You Are Not Alone’ is a new online resource hub and dedicated support helpline aimed at providing free advice and support to unpaid carers. 

Ben Ashton, founder of GoodOaks Homecare, said: “On behalf of the whole team here at GoodOaks, we are delighted to officially launch the ‘You Are Not Alone’ campaign to provide free help, information, advice and support to the millions of family carers across the country.

“Though we knew already that many face health and wellbeing challenges, and often struggle to access the resources that could prove lifechanging, our recent polling uncovered just how widespread these issues are.  

“We hope that our range of options will provide support, respite and empowerment to family carers in all manner of scenarios. We know how much they sacrifice for those they care for, and hope that the You Are Not Alone campaign can go some way to help.” 

The initiative comes just two weeks after the Carer’s Leave Act, which gave carers the right to a week of unpaid leave to provide or arrange care for a dependent, came into effect across Britain. 

Polling commissioned by GoodOaks has uncovered a ‘quiet crisis’ unfolding across the country for many family carers with more than half (55%) of carers feeling unable to meet their own health and wellbeing needs, often instead prioritising meeting the needs of those they cared for. 

It also found that just 12% of unpaid carers across England felt that they had a “good understanding” of the provisions entailed within the newly introduced Carer’s Leave Act.

Though this was the least well-known of support options offered, others such as Carer’s Credit, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payments and NHS continuing healthcare were well-understood by only a minority.