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The second round of funding through the Freemasons’ COVID-19 Community Fund will focus on charities supporting unpaid carers.

An estimated 4.5 million people became unpaid carers as a result of COVID-19, bringing the total number to 13.6 million – however there was no additional financial support for people providing unpaid care to loved ones throughout the pandemic.

For many existing unpaid carers, the type of care they provided also changed due to a change in circumstances, services or the needs of the person for which they care. Carers UK’s recent study, carried out between 3 April 2020 and 14 April 2020, showed:

• 69 per cent of all carers are providing more emotional or motivational support, and are checking in with the person either face-to-face or online.
•  53 per cent are providing more practical support in person, for example preparing meals, shopping, laundry, housework or household repairs.
• 40 per cent are providing practical help at a distance, for example arranging food deliveries or medicine collection.

It is hoped that Freemasonry, through this round of funding, will help charities to continue their vital support for unpaid carers as they continue to face the social and financial consequences of COVID-19.