New report shines a light on unpaid carers from diverse communities

A new report by Community Action Derby has highlighted the need for more support for unpaid carers from the city’s diverse communities.

The Derby Diverse Carers Report 2025/26, produced by CAD through the Derby Diverse Carers Alliance, brings together the experiences of 169 carers who took part in a survey, alongside 446 participations across more than 30 facilitated group sessions delivered in partnership with 21 trusted community organisations.

Throughout the engagement, carers across different communities and settings consistently described feeling unseen, unsupported and unsure where to turn for help.

According to the report, many carers are not being identified early enough and often miss opportunities for support until they reach crisis.

Carers said that signposting alone is often not enough, with some needing practical, ongoing support to understand their entitlements and navigate services.

A lack of culturally appropriate services and not knowing where to go were among the most frequently reported barriers to accessing support.

Carers also spoke about the impact of caring on their own health and wellbeing, with isolation raised in every facilitated group session.

The report identifies three clear priorities for improving support:

*Earlier and more proactive identification of carers

*Practical, relational support to help carers navigate services

*Stronger community-based, culturally responsive support models

The engagement also highlighted the important role of trusted community organisations in reaching and supporting carers.

Carers described being more comfortable seeking advice and speaking openly in familiar community settings, while community leaders were found to be as highly trusted as healthcare professionals as sources of information.

Rebecca Edwards, programme lead at Community Action Derby, said: “The most important part of this work has been hearing directly from carers about their experiences – what works, what doesn’t and what would make a real difference to them.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who shared their experiences with us, and to the community organisations that helped make those conversations possible.

“What carers have told us gives us a much clearer understanding of the barriers people face and, importantly, what needs to change.

“The next step is to make sure their voices continue to shape this work, as we develop new approaches to supporting carers.”

To read the full Derby Diverse Carers Report 2025/26 click here.