At some point in our lives, we will take care of an elderly relative, sick partner or disabled family member. 6 million people in the UK are caring right now while 2.3 million people become carers every year.

There are half a million Black Asian Minority Ethnic carers in England. This saves the state £7.9 billion a year.

Being a carer is very common within Black, Asian, Caribbean and Chinese communities. Irrespective of their ethnic or cultural background, carers play a vital role in supporting others with disability or illness, frequently extending how long those they care for can remain at home.

Carers save the economy a substantial amount of money but often at significant cost to themselves both to their well-being and financial status. As a result, carers themselves need support, guidance, and help. They need to feel valued.

BME carers are known to experience unique challenges in accessing support services.

These challenges arise in the main from a lack of self-identification among BME individuals of their status as carers and hence an absence of policy recognition of their needs, compounded by stereotypical assumptions of how their needs are, or should be met.

The experiences of black and minority ethnic carers are frequently different and may be more challenging than those of white carers. Black and minority ethnic carers are not only less likely to access services but may also find services less satisfactory than white carers.

Many Black and Ethnic Minority carers are completely unaware of the services that exist to support them, yet they make up 10% of carers in England.

Indian carers are the largest group, with Black Caribbean carers not far behind.

Every single year, 180,000 Black and Ethnic Minority people become carers. They are likely to provide between 20-49 hours a week of care.

Almost 250,000 BAME carers juggle work and care.

How You Can Help

Bristol Black Carers provides an invaluable service to Black and Ethnic Minority carers. At present we are funded primarily by Bristol City Council, with additional revenue from partnership bids and donations. Our community needs us, and in turn, we need your help to maintain and expand the services we offer them including:

• helping them to understand complex medical information

• guiding them through the process of accessing government services

• providing respite through support groups and access to trips, activities and events

Your support, either in the form of a donation, a partnership or by volunteering your time, can help us to continue to be there for these communities.

Click here to learn more about how you can support our work.