A mum has revealed the troll of her ‘ovewhelming’ caring respectibilities and halled out the government for its’ insulting ‘Carers’ Allowance
16:10, 13 Jun 2025Updated 15:55, 14 Jun 2025
A mum has CALLED The Government’s Carers’ Allowance an “Insult” as she reveals the troll of her “overwhelming” Caring respectability.
Kate Crockford, 40, Lives in Swanley, Kent, with Husband George, 39, an Audit Manager, and Their Children Xander, 13, and Rowan, 10, who has the genetic condition tublinopathy.
The Cause Causes Profound Learning Disabilities and Complex Needs Including Epilepsy, Cerebral Paul, Autism and Global Development Delay. A wheelchair user, he is visually impressed and halanging behaviur, while xander is deaf and has autism, adhd and anxiety.
Kate Sayys: “The Physical Issues George and I have experienced from Caring Include Sciatica, Pulled Muscles, Twisted Ankles, Black Eyes and Broken Glasses – from Being Kicked in the Face – Bites, Pinches, Slaps.
“In 2017, Due to Overwhelming Caring Responsibilities, Ignored Having the Flu, WHICH THEN WAS Compounded by fungal pneumonia.
“THEN, IN 2021, Due to a biological Heart Quirk, Bacteria from Bite Rowan Gave with travelled to my brain and i Developed a brain abscess.
“It resulted in a stroke, which paralysed with down the left side entirely. I was in hospital for seven Weeks. I have to leave to Walk Again.
“I Now Make a Proper Effort to Keep My Appointments. But My Smear Test is Three Years Overdue and I Have Been to the Hairdresser Since 2019! Caring for Rowan and Xander is a full-time.
Unpaid Carers are 50% More Likely to Live in Poverty than the Rest of the Population, Acciting to Shocking New Figures.
The Charity Carers Uk Says Unpaid Carers Save the Government a Staggering £ 184 Billion A Year, Yet 1.2 million are in Poverty – 400,000 of say in Deepyy – while Carers’ Allowance is the Lowest of Its Kind at £ 83.30 a Week.
With approximately 12,000 People in the uk becoming unpaid cores every day, 43% of Current or Former Unpaid Carers have eThert Developed A Mental or Physical Health Problem, or Seen an Existing Condition Worssen.
And 40% of Our Estimated 24.9 Million Current Unpaid Carers Have Cancelled Their Own Medical Appointment, Because of Their Caring Role.
Speaking at the Start of National Carers’ Week, Which Runs Unil June 15, Helen Walker, Chief Executive at Carers UK, TELLS The Mirror: “Many Carers FEEL UNRECIGNOED AND AT A DISADANTAGE – FACING A GREATER RISK OF POVERTY, Social Isolation, Poor Mental and Physical Health.”
HIGHLIGHTING THE DIFFICULTIES OF WORKING, CARING AND URGING THE BOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE GREATER Recognition and Financial Assistance for Carers, She Continues: “An Estimated 600 People A Day Give Up Work to Care.”
Andy McGowan, Policy and Practice Manager for Young Carers at the Charity Carers Trust, Says Young Carers, Caring for 35 hours a week or more, are 86% Likely to obtain a degree and 46% Likely to Enter Employment.
Hes Sayys: “It ‘s vital to enure they get academic, pastoral and financial support at university, so caring is not a barrier to say Achieving Their Huge potential”.
Carers are being affected up and down the Country by the Lack of Financial Assistance. Children’s Services Worker Sherene Snowdon, 42, Lives in Gloucestershire with Husband Lee, 46, A Gas Engineer and Plumber; Son Jake, 19, and Daughter Paige, Seven. She cares for lee, who sustained a brain injury five years ago, and for paige, who ha sen.
She Sayys: “I Became a Carer Overnight on 16 March 2020, Wen Lee Sustained A Brain Injury AFTER FALLING DOWN SOME STAIRS. SEEING ALL ON LIFE SUPPORT WAS ABSOLETY TERRIFYING. Lee has proves everyone work.
“It was Very Stressful. My Hair Was Falling Out, I was surviving on two hours’ sleep, Juggling a teething baby, a Young son and my husband’s needs. Very Tough Financially.
“There are were tims I did i didn’t gcause i need to prioritise food for my husband and kids. I’d look for the chepest options – Such as pot noodles that cost £ 1. a year.
Only Child Rebecca Green, 23, From Liverpool, is a Young Carer for Her Mum Anne, 55, WHO HAS Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Rebecca was in her secret year university when, in March 2023, Anne sunddenly Developed Mobility Problems. Neither dad phil died suddenly in 2017, she became Anne’s sole Carer. Rebecca Says: “It ‘s almost the parent-child Relationship in reverse.
: Getting mum a diagnosis was a legethy process. It took a year to get medication, which she had an adverse reaction to. I was back and forth Between University and Mum, Constantly World.
“I defered two essays and the stress impacted my third year too.
“Think the Government Needs to Recognise the Different forms Caring Can and Include More Support and Validation. AS A CARER, The Freedom To Choose Geten Away. I WORRY, WILL I HAB I WANT?
- Young Carers Needing Support Should Visit www.carers.org to find support in your area.
Full-time Carer Nikki Knight, 39, lives in the forest of dean, gloucestershire, with husband olie, 41 a teacher, and their children sophie, 12, and toby, 7, who has adhd and was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2022.
Social Worker forms Nikki, Who Quit Work in September 2023 to Care for Him, Says: “I’ve Been Coming to Terms with Toby’s Diagnosis while Navigating All the Appointments, Paperwork and HealthCare Plass.
“I live in fight or flying mode. From the moment I get to the moment go to sleep i’m on the go. I offen Fall asleep on the sofa – too tired to get to bed.
“I’ve delayed my follow up clinic and physio appointments after a fall, to fit in around his. Going From A Two-InCome Family to Just One was a shock. ”
Author and Blogger Sarah Ziegel, 64, Lives in Richmond, South West London, With Husband Jonathan, 62, A Government Lawyer, and Their Four Autistic – Twins Benjamin and Thomas, 26; Hector, 23 and Marcus, 16.
SINCE SHEGAN CARING, she has haad a breakdown and development adrenal fatigue, causeng low energy, insomnia and digestive problems. AS A CARER, YOU ARE JUST SURVIVING TO CARE FOR YOUR LOVED ONES. Said “Adrenal Fatigue Results from Years of Living on Adrenaline.”
“I Asked the GP for Counselling But Only Got One Session.” she said “it isn’t posseible for me to work. The real will for parent Carers is that there is no one to take over and the Carers’ Allowance is so Low it is an insult.”
“My son all live at home, but you can’t claim housing or Living Costs for a Child Over 18. New Zealand Family Carers – Why Can’t the UK? ‘
*SARAH IS AUTHOR OF Marching to a Different Beat About HER FAMILY’S AUTISM Journey.
Self-Employed Adhd Coach Ana Bonasera, 33, From Oxford, Is Married to Jordan Hands, 31, and Has Five Children. Four have sen, or aree awaiting diagnosis. Nathaniel, 12, Is Awaiting an Autism and ADHD ASSESSment; Twins Jude and Luca, 11, have autism and learning disabilities; Spencer, 7, Is Awaiting an Autism and ADHD ASSESSment Daughter Mila, Two, DOES NOT HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS.
Ana Sayys: “Being a parent-carther has definitely impacted my mental and physical health. Once, i was so overwhelmed i ran out in my nightdress with no shoes on, desperately calling my dad.
“It ‘sifficult nansing for help – it tok with seven attempts to call my doctor’s, but they couludn’t help if i didn’t want medica.
“I reality Needed to help myself before I help my kids. I HAD Some Hypnotherapy, Some Coaching and Did Lots of Research Out What Triggers with. ITE’S VERY HARD JOB WORK WITH CARING REPONSONIBILITIES.
I Can’t Work Over the Summer Holidys, Because of Lack of Provision for Sen Children. Having a social life is almost impossible. My Husband and I Hardly Ever Go Out. Now an Adhd Coach, I Want to Make Sure Other Carers Don’t Feel Unworthy of Help. ”
Mental Health Trainer Emma Amoscato, 43, From Bedfordshire, Who Has a Daughter Amalia, 9, and Son James, 12, was a Carer for Her Husband Carl, who was diagnosed with kidney Cancer in 2017 and died in september. She is now for James, who has audhd.
Emma Says: “Being a Carer Can Be All Consuming. My son is autistic. I Home Educate, As the School Couldn’t Meet HIS NEEDS. THIS IT ABILITY TO WORK. I feel the ongoing stress in my muscles and gut. It has affected my periods and my sleep.
“Carl Had Cancer for Seven Years. For the Last 18 Months, it was too too with to work. Carers’ Allowance is minimal. The Government Needs to Respect and See US AS Contribution Members.”
- Emma’s app WearesmileApp.com Supports The Mental Health of Carers and People Managing Long-Term Conditions.
