Carers’ experiences during the pandemic


In the summer we partnered with North Tyneside Carers’ Centre to ask carers in North Tyneside to tell us about their experiences of caring during the pandemic and the impact it had on their wellbeing. The findings raised concerns with 52% of carers telling us they were providing significantly more care than they were before the pandemic, and 50% of carers identified that they felt more isolated now, compared to before the pandemic.

25/11/2021
By Healthwatch North Tyneside and North Tyneside Carers' Centre
Carers Covid

Report detail

During June and July 2021, North Tyneside Carers’ Centre and Healthwatch North Tyneside asked carers in North Tyneside to tell us about their experiences of caring during the pandemic and the impact it had on their wellbeing. The survey was undertaken on behalf of the Carers’ Partnership Board and the results were presented at the Board’s meeting in August, Future Care Board in September and the Health and Wellbeing Board in November.

258 carers responded to the survey: 79% of the respondents were female; 20% male; 0.5% non-binary and 0.5% other. 52% of carers advised that they were providing significantly more care than they were before the pandemic. When asked to describe how they felt over the last 12 months, comments included:

  • “Struggled to remain calm – pushed to my limit emotionally.”
  • “Many dark days.”
  • “Living under extreme constant stress has affected my mental and physical health.”
  • “Struggled to cope.”
  • “Pressure cooker situation.”
  • “I was so stressed I took an overdose and ended up in critical care – still no change.”
  • “I wake up in the morning and think not again – but you have to get on and deal with it.”
  • “System weakness have been magnified by the pandemic.”

The issues and themes raised by carers throughout the survey included:

  • Feeling increasingly lonely and isolated.
  • Reduced support network through not seeing friends and family.
  • Unable to take a break and have time to self.
  • Deterioration in the condition of the person they care for.
  • Dealing with challenging behaviour.
  • Shielding and the stress and strain of providing 24-hour care for someone who is clinically/medically vulnerable.
  • Covid anxiety and providing constant reassurance.
  • Services closing or changing.
  • Accessing healthcare.
  • Juggling working and caring.
  • Money pressures.

Fifty percent of carers identified that they felt more isolated now, compared to before the pandemic. The results of the survey have been shared with key decision makers in North Tyneside, to influence the support carers need coming through and beyond Covid.

If you are a carer and need support, contact North Tyneside Carers’ Centre on (0191) 643 2298 or visit our website at: www.northtynesidecarers.org.uk to access support and a listening ear.

Download the full report below.
Carers' experiences during the pandemic Download File (pdf 448.88 KB)