A carer is someone who helps another person, usually a relative or friend, in their day to day life.  This is not the same as someone who provides care professionally, or through a voluntary organisation.

Most carers would not recognise themselves under the term 'carer'.  They are just people trying to cope as best they can while helping to look after an elderly relative, a partner or a young child with a disability.  They may even be juggling paid work with their unpaid caring responsibilities at home.

The Care Act 2014 means for the first time, carers will be recognised in the law in the same way as those they care for.