Carers in Hemel Hempsted are being urged to get their caring role counted in Census 2021

A charity in Hertfordshire is urging everyone that looks after a relative, friend or someone else, to identify their role as an unpaid carer in the Census 2021.

The Census is an Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey of UK households that happens every 10 years and provides an insight into the population.

Carers in Hertfordshire supports residents that provide unpaid care to someone who has an illness, disability, mental health condition, an addiction, or is elderly. The charity is urging people to tick yes to the census questions about caring.

The question (number 24) asks if you look after, or give help or support to, anyone and the number of hours per week that you care for.

Michèle Stokes, chief executive at Carers in Hertfordshire, said: “It’s important that you and anyone else in your family or household have your caring role counted – whether looking after the same person or different people.

"The information helps organisations supporting carers plan their services.

“It doesn’t matter if you provide care regularly or occasionally, live separately to the person who needs support, or you juggle caring with work, education or other commitments, your role is still important.

"Caring involves different things, for example companionship or emotional support, organising appointments or getting medication, shopping, personal care or helping around the house or with finances.”

You can count yourself a carer if you provide unpaid care to someone. You could be looking after a parent, husband or wife, child, sibling, relative – anyone who needs your support to stay safe or well.

If the person you support lives in a care home or supported accommodation – you are likely to provide help or comfort and so can record your caring role in the census.

Census day for people in England and Wales is Sunday, March 21, but you can complete the survey online sooner – when you have a census pack and access code, which the ONS has posted out.

You can complete the census online, and if you need support or a paper copy call 0800 587 2021.

The householder can answer on behalf of everyone in the home or each person can complete the census.

You must complete the census by law, if you do not you could be fined.

If you live in Hertfordshire and provide unpaid care to someone or are elsewhere and support someone in the county, you can find out about the services Carers in Hertfordshire offers on its website, or email [email protected] or call 01992 58 69 69.