Carers UK has released a new best practice guide, to encourage organisations how best to support unpaid carers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.
The briefing follows Carers UK’s report on the experiences of Black, Asian and minority ethnic carers during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic. The report found that carers from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds were more anxious about their current financial situation and more likely to be impacted by the closure of local services. The report also found that unpaid carers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds are more likely, to state that the services in their area did not meet their needs.
Many carers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic minority backgrounds do not often recognise themselves as carers, with some languages lacking a distinct word for ‘carer.’ They may instead primarily see themselves as a family member, due to cultural expectations and not access resources available to them as a result. It is therefore vital that organisations are culturally sensitive, and cater to the distinct needs of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic carers.
The briefing provides examples of good practice from organisations across the UK, that work with various minority communities.
Carers UK, in partnership with Carers Trust, has received funding from the Covid 19 Support Fund to support the “Making Carers Count” project. This part of the three-year project seeks to understand the experiences of four traditionally under-represented groups of carers both during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.
Matthew McKenzie, Chair of Carer UK’s Black, Asian and ethnic minority advisory group said, “This report is an important step forward for ensuring that carers from minority backgrounds are adequately supported. It is essential that organisations recognise the distinct challenges that carers from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds face. This briefing can help organisations improve their processes and work to provide all carers in their communities with support that is tailored to meet their cultural needs.”
