Marvin OnumonuCarers UK has restarted its Carers Active project after securing three years’ funding from Sport England, with £362,184 awarded.
The Carers Active project is focused on increasing carers’ activity levels and tackling health inequalities.
Previous funding allowed Carers UK to set up the Carers Active Hub, which features exercise videos, activity ideas and carer stories.
Carers who took part said the project gave them the confidence to be active in ways that suited them, helped boost self-worth and happiness, and reduced loneliness by building social connections.
With the new funding, Carers UK plans to build on links with professionals in the sport, leisure, health and care sectors.
The charity will support local partnerships to increase understanding of why physical activity matters for carers and create more chances for carers to join local activities.
Carers UK will also run mini campaigns and challenge events, promoting activities that are accessible, low-cost and can fit into carers’ daily routines.
Emily Holzhausen, director of policy and public affairs at Carers UK, said: “If you’re caring for someone, you’re more likely to be in poor health.
“43% of current or former carers have had a mental or physical health condition develop or become worse since taking on caring responsibilities.
“Getting active can be a powerful antidote to this. In our State of Caring survey more than half (52%) of carers taking part in a physical activity told us that this reduces stress and anxiety, but often, time constraints, tiredness and affordability can get in the way.”
Holzhausen added: “We’re delighted to have secured funding from Sport England for another three years because we want to see an increase in accessible activities designed with carers in mind.
“We’re excited to see the re-launch of this important project giving carers much-needed opportunities to improve their health and meet others in their communities.”
Aedan Wolton, strategic lead, equality at Sport England, said: “With the help of National Lottery funding, we are driven to help carers – who so often put the needs and wellbeing of others first- get active and benefit from the physical and mental health benefits of movement for themselves, in low and no-cost ways.
“Our partnership has already helped thousands of carers find ways to get physically active and we’re delighted to continue our work with Carers UK on this front.”
