Carers Support contributes to major new report calling for better recognition of carers’ needs in Bristol and the West of England

29th September 2025

Carers Support is proud to be one of the nine community organisations behind a powerful new report launched today by Bristol Women’s Voice and the Value the Caring Economy Alliance. The report, Shine a Light on Care: Listening to Parents and Carers, calls for urgent action to better support carers and parents across the region.

Drawing on the experiences of over 250 women in Bristol, the report outlines practical recommendations for the West of England Combined Authority and Bristol City Council. These include targeted interventions across healthcare, employment, and community support to address the challenges faced by those caring for children, elderly relatives, and Disabled family members.

The findings reveal the stark realities of unpaid care in Bristol:

• 42% of full-time carers are extremely worried about heating costs
• Social contact among carers has dropped from 46.2% in 2012/13 to just 27.8% today
• Many carers report struggling financially, facing workplace discrimination, and lacking access to healthcare and respite

Carers Support’s Policy Engagement Lead, Susy Giullari, is directly quoted in the report:

“Carers are regularly putting their own mental health needs last, because of their caring responsibilities. We need accessible mental health support that recognises the unique pressures carers face – from flexible counselling services to peer support networks that understand the isolation and exhaustion that comes with long-term caring.”

The report calls for coordinated action across sectors, including:

• Statutory paid care leave and simplified benefits systems
• Inclusive employment practices and carer-friendly workplaces
• Expanded mental health services and carer liaison roles in healthcare
• Investment in breaks for carers and legal advice services

As a member of the Value the Caring Economy Alliance, Carers Support is committed to continuing its advocacy for carers and ensuring their voices are heard in policy and service design.

Read the full report: Shine a Light on Care