Have you felt lonely, isolated or overwhelmed during the current Covid-19 crisis?

For the 47,000 unpaid carers who look after someone because of a disability, illness, frailty, mental health issues or substance misuse in Wiltshire, social isolation is nothing new.

Carers UK found that 40% of carers haven't taken a single day off from their caring responsibilities in over a year. 8 out of 10 carers struggle with loneliness and isolation because of their caring responsibilities.

Breaks are vital for carers to be able to deal with the physical and emotional strain of providing care, and to be able to continue in their role.

The effect of not getting a rest from caring is shattering, with carers describing being close to breaking point, desperate for some time to themselves, to sleep, recuperate, and see friends and family.

In the coronavirus crisis, 55% of unpaid carers reported feeling overwhelmed and worried they were going to burn-out in the coming weeks (Carers UK; Caring Behind Closed Doors; 2020)

Regular breaks have been proven to make the biggest impact when it comes to combatting loneliness.

Many unpaid carers don't get the time to do the things they love and pursue the same opportunities as their peers because they lack the time and/or money to do so.

The Time for Carers Appeal removes these financial barriers so that Wiltshire's unpaid carers can take time out of their caring role to pursue their interests, develop new skills, grow in confidence and look after their health and wellbeing. This can include going swimming, taking the kids to a football match or going to an art class with friends.

Make a one-off or regular donation and help us fund much needed breaks for unpaid carers to do the things they enjoy, so they can recharge and not hit breaking point

A little goes a long way - your donation will make a profound and long-lasting difference to someones quality of life:

£10 will help a young adult carer (aged 16-25) to pay for transport to access college, our support groups, or to see friends and family.

£30 means that an older male carer can attend a cookery class to learn vital cookery skills, meet others in a similar situation to them and learn how to prepare healthy and nutritious food to be enjoyed with friends and family for years to come.

£50 enables a carer who also suffers with health problems of their own can get the reflexology and treatments they need to reduce pain and anxiety.

£100 helps a carer on the brink of crisis to speak with a trained counsellor