A Swansea woman has spoken out about the challenging realities of many UK carers, revealing she undertakes a 600-mile round trip to support her frail parents, yet receives only £83 a week in government assistance – an amount she describes as the equivalent of merely £1 an hour.
Lisa Ferne, 57, finds herself travelling regularly from her home in Swansea to Southend, Essex, to assist her blind mother, while also dedicating most of her week to supporting her father, who is living with dementia. The daunting 11-hour drive, combined with the intensity of caring demands, led Lisa to abandon her previous career and rely solely on carer’s allowance.
In her earlier professional life, Lisa garnered extensive experience in industries ranging from marketing to photography. Speaking frankly about her situation, she explained, “It’s nearly impossible to find flexible work that fits around my caring duties. When every week involves at least 80 hours tending to my father, all I can claim from the government is £83. That doesn’t even cover minimum wage – it’s barely enough to get by.”
Lisa’s experience is far from unique. She is one of millions of so-called “carents,” a term referring to adults who find their lives and livelihoods dictated by their responsibilities as unpaid carers. According to new polling by Carents, a national support group for adult carers, a staggering 70% of respondents admitted that their job choices had been adversely affected by the necessity to provide family care.
Further findings from the Carents survey highlighted that 21% of respondents were forced to leave work or retire earlier than planned. Another 22% had to switch to less intensive or more adaptable positions, while 27% reported cutting their working hours to meet their caring commitments. The emotional and financial toll, say campaigners, is steadily mounting.
Dr Jackie Gray, founder of Carents, commented on the broader implications for society and the economy: “These numbers illustrate the enormous scale at which working-age adults are being pulled away from their careers to meet family obligations. It’s vital there is greater support for carers, so they’re not forced to choose between earning a living and looking after loved ones. Maintaining employment is not just about money; it gives structure and essential social contact, which many caregivers lose when they’re pushed out of work.”
Back in Swansea, Lisa has accepted that her social life has faded into the background and daily routines revolve solely around her parents’ needs. “There’s very little let-up. I even got a dog to make sure I left the house sometimes,” she recounted wryly. “You risk losing your sense of identity. I miss using my skills and contributing to society, but juggling everything isn’t realistic. Like many others, I’d love the government to do more, so we aren’t forced to give up everything just to provide care.”
Lisa’s message to policymakers is direct: support for carers must be improved, not only in terms of financial aid but also by creating options that allow them to maintain their professional identities. The emotional fulfilment that can come from contributing to the workforce, she argues, should not be an impossible luxury for those devoting their lives to caring.
As the UK marks Carers Week, Lisa’s story brings a personal perspective to a national issue that continues to grow. With an ageing population and increasing numbers of families affected by chronic illness and disability, the struggle for adequate support and recognition for unpaid carers is more urgent than ever.
This conversation, sparked by the efforts of campaigners and carers alike, seems set to intensify as pressure mounts on the government to respond. For now, people like Lisa Ferne are left to navigate the relentless demands of caregiving with little more than determination – and the hope that real change may soon arrive.