From Isolation to Connection: Finding Support as an Unpaid Carer
According to research published by Carers UK in 2019, unpaid carers are seven times more likely than the general population to experience loneliness. With one in three people expected to take on a caring role at some point in their lives.
Caring for a partner, parent, child, sibling, friend or neighbour can be incredibly rewarding, but it often comes with a heavy mix of emotional and practical pressures. Many carers tell us they feel invisible or overlooked. That’s why Swindon Carers Together is committed to making sure carers feel recognised, supported, and connected.
Why Peer Support Matters
Trying to describe the tiredness, the endless appointments, or the emotional weight of caring to someone who hasn’t lived it can be tough. It can even feel isolating. But spending time with other carers, people who really understand, can make an enormous difference. Peer support groups can offer:
A sense of understanding from people who genuinely get it
Helpful tips and shared experiences from those who’ve been in similar situations
A chance to feel less alone and more confident
A safe, relaxed place to talk without judgement
In these groups, carers don’t need to justify how they feel. They don’t need to explain why they're anxious or exhausted. Others already know, because they’ve been there too.
Swindon Carers Together runs a wide range of friendly, welcoming groups where unpaid carers can meet others, share their stories, and enjoy a chat over a cup of tea. These include:
Dementia Carers Group
SN25 Carers Cuppa
PATH / Love & Loss Group - supporting bereaved carers or those whose loved ones now live in care homes
Carers Quiz Group
Mental Health Carers Group
Wroughton Carers Group
Learning Difficulty & Autism Carers Group
Each group offers a chance to feel supported, grounded, and part of a community that truly values what carers do every day.
Dementia Support Group
Building Community Beyond Formal Support
Of course, support doesn’t only happen in organised groups. Sometimes the most meaningful connections come from everyday activities in the local community. Swindon and the surrounding areas have plenty of ways for carers to meet new people, try something different, or simply take a moment for themselves. Have a look yourself!