Under embargo until Tuesday 23 September 00:01
New report calls for better recognition of carers needs in Bristol and the West of England
Bristol Women’s Voice and the Value the Caring Economy Alliance launch a new report today providing recommendations to the West of England Combined Authority and Bristol City Council to meet the needs of parents and carers with targeted interventions across healthcare, employment, and community support.
The “Shine a Light on Care: Listening to Parents and Carers” research, engaged more than 250 women across Bristol to develop practical solutions for those caring for children, elderly relatives, and Disabled family members.
While the research identifies significant challenges – including that 42% of full-time carers in Bristol are extremely worried about heating costs and social contact has declined from 46.2% in 2012/13 to just 27.8% today – it provides a clear framework for targeted interventions that can create meaningful change.
The report captures the raw reality of caring responsibilities through powerful testimonies from those on the frontline:
On financial pressures: “We are on the lower end of earnings as a family, but we still have much more than others and yet we still struggle. A lot more financial support for carers and parents. My mother cannot work since she looks after both my sister and grandmother, who require 24/7 care… we struggle a lot financially.”
On employment challenges: “Because of my caring responsibilities, I’ve done part-time work here, there, and everywhere, and I’ve got no pension pot built up. It’s all little bits here and there, so I’ll have nothing to draw on later in life.”
On workplace discrimination: “My boss just doesn’t get it. I’ve had to lie about why I’m off because I know they’ll see me as unreliable.”
On healthcare access: “Getting an appointment for my child is hard enough—forget trying to get one for myself.”
On the need for breaks: “I haven’t had a break in over a year. I’m constantly on edge, exhausted, and feel like I’m drowning.”
Sandra Gordon, Bristol Women in Business Charter, Director says: “Employers need to move beyond token flexibility policies to create genuine career pathways that accommodate caring responsibilities without penalising progression. When we invest in carer-inclusive workplaces, we’re not just supporting individual employees – we’re unlocking the potential of thousands of skilled workers who currently can’t fully participate in our economy.”
The undervaluation of the caring economy has profound consequences. An estimated £3.64bn in output is lost across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset, and Bristol due to caring responsibilities preventing women from working. Nationally, unpaid care is valued at £162 billion – nearly equivalent to NHS spending.
Women are seven times more likely than men to become economically inactive due to care responsibilities, with the impact particularly severe in their thirties when they are ten times more likely to leave the workforce.
Susy Giullari, Carers Support Policy Engagement Lead says: “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 presents comprehensive recommendations for national government, regional authorities, local councils, healthcare systems, and employers:
- National Government: Simplify benefits systems, introduce statutory paid care leave, and address long-term financial impacts on women carers
- Regional Authorities: Embed working practices that are inclusive of carers across all business across the region.
- Local Authorities: Prioritise carers in financial support allocation, invest in breaks for carers , and fund legal advice services
- Healthcare Systems: Expand mental health services for carers and implement carer liaison services
- Employers: Implement mandatory carer support training and develop inclusive workplace policies
Katy Taylor, Bristol Women’s Voice Chief Executive Officer says: “The findings of this report are not new – similar recommendations have been made repeatedly. What is needed is decisive action rather than further research. Bristol’s 34,000 carers need immediate, comprehensive support to escape poverty, isolation, and ill health.”
The Value the Caring Economy Alliance, comprising nine community organisations including Bristol Women’s Voice, Bristol Black Carers, and Carers Support, is calling for serious investment in the caring economy infrastructure.
Bristol Women’s Voice and the Caring Economy Alliance are taking steps based on the research findings:
- Update the Online Directory of Women’s Services, to feature carer-friendly GP services, peer support groups and activities, and sources of legal advice and information.
- Collaborate on Employment Standards: Collaborating with carers to develop new flexible working standards and reviewing the Good Employment Charter to better support caring responsibilities
- Support Women’s Economic Wellbeing: Launching financial resilience workshops in partnership with specialist agencies to improve women’s economic independence
- Promote Carer-Inclusive Workplaces: Co-creating employer training programs with the Bristol Women in Business Charter to build truly inclusive, carer-supportive work environments
The research demonstrates that addressing carer needs requires coordinated effort across sectors, recognition of care’s intersectional and gendered nature, and sustained investment in support systems.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The full “Shine a Light on Care: Listening to Parents and Carers” report is available at: https://www.bristolwomensvoice.org.uk/research/shine-a-light-on-care/ or alternatively can be accessed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dcyP1TZl7IEy3Ot1ngyoPjzxvYPhq2a_/view?usp=sharing
- The Value the Caring Economy Alliance comprises: Bristol Women’s Voice; Economic Taskgroup of the Women’s Commission; Bristol Black Carers; Carers Support; Bristol Women in Business Charter; Women’s Budget Group; Co-Produced Care; WECIL; and Chinese Community Wellbeing Society
- Bristol has 34,000 carers according to 2021 census data
- Images are available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dcyP1TZl7IEy3Ot1ngyoPjzxvYPhq2a_/view?usp=sharing
Report launch invitation:
Members of the press are welcome to attend our report launch at Simmons & Simmons (Finzels Reach, Aurora, Finzels Reach, Counterslip, Bristol BS1 6BX) on Tuesday 23 September (09:30am – 11:00 am). If you would like to attend, please let us know in advance to ensure your name is on the guest list. Please email Katy Taylor on ceo@bristolwomensvoice.org.uk and Dahlia von Carolath on communityorganiser@bristolwomensvoice.org.uk.
For media enquiries contact:
Email:
- Claire Charras media@bristolwomensvoice.org.uk (Friday 19 September only) or
- Katy Taylor ceo@bristolwomensvoice.org.uk (Monday 22 September)
Phone:
- Claire Charras: 0773 313 3986 (Friday 19 September only)
- Katy Taylor: 07585 235875 (Monday 22 September)