Call for carers to take our survey to help us ensure services meet your needs

We want to find out about the lives of unpaid adult family and friend carers in Hertfordshire to help us ensure services meet your needs.

If you’re an adult and provide unpaid care to a partner, relative, friend, or neighbour who is disabled, elderly, has an illness or long-term condition, or misuses substances, please take our short survey. Your responses will help us identify where we should adapt our services and show other organisations the importance of supporting carers.

The survey will look into the impact that caring has on your health and wellbeing, and finances. You will also be asked about various aspects of your life, including how many people you care for, the hours you spend caring each week, and your experiences with health and care services.

You can complete the survey online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/YJ829HJ or if you’d prefer to participate over the phone or receive a copy by post, please contact us. Email contact@carersinherts.org.uk or call 01992 58 69 69.

We also have a survey for young people aged 18 and under with caring responsibilities. If you or someone you know wants to complete this survey please contact our Young Carers Team. The easiest way is to email young.carers@carersinherts.org.uk or call us.

Michèle Stokes, our Chief Executive, said: “We hope carers in Hertfordshire take our survey to help us better understand the caring picture in the county during our 30th anniversary year. By sharing your experiences, you help us identify any areas of concern and where additional support may be needed. This survey also allows us to track changes since our last survey in 2022.

You don’t have to live with the person you care for to take part. Your role is invaluable whether they live with you, are in a care home, supported accommodation, or elsewhere. Please encourage other family members and friends who provide support to have their say as well. Together, we can ensure services meet your needs.”

In our 2022 survey, almost 2,100 adults with a current or former caring role responded. We hope even more carers take part this time.

Results from the last survey showed:
• One in five carers (20%) had missed a health appointment due to caring responsibilities.
• 60% of carers said they had struggled financially or were worried about their finances; and
• 35% of the 1,695 people who completed the questions about working and caring said they worked and 19% had reduced their hours due to a caring role.

The survey is due to close at the end of August 2025. You can complete it anonymously or provide your details to enter a prize draw to win a £250 gift card or one of three £50 vouchers. The prize winners will be chosen randomly once the survey closes.