Nearly one in four unpaid carers say they have been treated unfairly or unfavourably by the general public because of their caring responsibilities, a new report has revealed.
The State of Caring survey 2024-2025, published by Crossroads and the Department of Health and Social Care, found that 23% of respondents experienced discrimination from members of the public.
A further 18% said they faced unfair treatment when receiving public services.
One carer told researchers: “There is no compassion, understanding or care about carers. I feel like I don’t exist. I am doing the job of care and yet I am invisible.”
Another added: “I feel like people don’t understand how lonely and isolating our life can be.”
The report highlights that the Isle of Man’s Equality Act 2017 makes it unlawful to discriminate against someone because of their association with a person who has a protected characteristic, such as a disability.
However, more than half of carers said they did not feel their needs were recognised.
Despite the findings, 53% of respondents said they had not experienced unfair treatment in any of the situations listed.