It's estimated there are more than 155,000 unpaid carers across Kent who work tirelessly all year round to look after their loved ones.

But since the coronavirus hit the UK, organisations that support these caregivers say their already difficult job has been made much harder by lockdown.

It means day care centres are no longer running, home visits have been reduced and unpaid carers face more pressure with less respite.

As Carers' Week comes to an end, organisations say they want to raise awareness on the increased pressures felt by carers during lockdown.

One organisation that is working around the clock to adapt its services is Carers First.

Trudy Donachie is the Locality Manager at the organisation which works with Medway Council.

Mrs Donachie said: "Carers are pretty resilient, they will just get on and battle through without complaining but this really has changed things for them. It's the lack of a break that has had the biggest impact.

"For some people, their loved ones will usually go to a day centre twice a week. When that happens they know they’ve got those two days to have time to themselves or to get things done. All of that is not happening any more, it's 24/7."

One full time carer who is not ashamed to admit she has struggled is Heather Harvey who works closely with staff at Carers First.

Heather cares for her 19-year-old son Nicholas who was born with complex needs.

The 52-year-old who lives in Higham said: "Nicolas was born with learning difficulties. He needs constant help because he doesn't speak, read or write, his mobility is very poor, and he has epilepsy.

"Normally Nicholas goes to Quest School in Paddock Wood and although it has remained open and there is an invite for him to attend, getting him there is difficult for me.

"He would usually get into a taxi with five adults from different homes or schools and, as they are all in one car, at the moment that's not possible.

"I looked at sending him in just to keep his routine going but the risks are just too high."

Nicholas is now at home with his mum in Highwoods Close full time. He was due to transition into adult social care but Mrs Harvey says even this has been left uncertain.

She added: "It has been very challenging. To have any child at home full time is draining, but add on top of that the sometimes explosive and aggressive behaviour with his limited mobility, it just adds to the difficulty.

"He was due to finish school this July and I can't explain to him what's going to happen next because we haven't been able to organise anything.

"People say to me you're always happy and smiling but I say it's either that or crying."

"The uncertainty for him has had a huge impact. It feels awful to not be able to explain it to him. Normally I can say 'two more weeks and you'll be back to school' but I haven't got anything, or even a timeline.

"People say to me you're always happy and smiling but I say it's either that or crying."

Mrs Harvey is not the only one taking on a new aspect of caring that has left her feeling the strain.

Janet Whitehead from Hildenborough has cared for her husband Stuart for almost a year with the help of Involve Carers in West Kent.

Mr Whitehead who's 77 has limited use of his legs which makes moving around difficult.

The couple, who have been married for more than 30 years, used to take regular trips to Nizels Golf and Country Club where they have been long standing members.

Staff would help Mr Whitehead strengthen his legs by helping him in and out of the pool.

Now the club has closed Mrs Whitehead said her husband's legs have deteriorated.

Mrs Whitehead who's 75 said: "We used to go about three times a week and he was doing so well, they even made him member of the month.

"He was making such good progress but then everything had to stop when the club closed.

"The knock-on effect will be seen for quite a while."

"We’ve been completely locked down for 12 weeks now and I'm getting to the stage where I'm really apprehensive about going out.

"Stuart's legs have deteriorated so much where he hasn't been able to get out over the last three months. It's too difficult to move him, I don't know how I'm going to manage.

"Before, if Stuart had a fall I could call a neighbour for help, now I can’t do that because we can’t risk getting Covid-19."

Janet and Heather's experiences show adjusting back to 'normal' life will be another hurdle, one that Lorraine Williamson from Crossroads Kent says will take time to overcome.

Mrs Williamson is the Services Director of the charity that provides emotional and physical support to unpaid carers across the county.

She said: "A lot of people who wouldn't need our services as much before have needed us a bit more at this time.

"We have seen a big deterioration in carers' mental health. A lot of them have been getting stressed and depressed worrying about how they are going to cope which is very concerning.

"How this is going to be remedied? I don’t know because I can't see the day centres opening for months yet."

"The knock-on effect will be seen for quite a while."

Despite the difficulties, one message Crossroads Kent and Carers First are keen get across is that they are still available if needed.

The Heart of Kent Hospice release a video to support those caring for people with dementia.

Trudy Donachie added: "Our staff have been working non stop to make sure they can still support everyone who needs it. Although the way we deliver that service has changed, we've not given up.

"Our support groups are now online. The young carers have been online quicker than the adult carers but after a few teething problems, most people are now able to come to us when needed.

"A lot of people have responded quite well to What's App groups and we’ve also done things like a quizzes and a bingo session online just to give people something fun to look forward to and give them time to unwind."

The Heart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford is also helping out by sharing tips for those caring for people living with dementia.

Staff have made a video that seeks to answer the questions the Hospice Dementia Specialists are asked on a daily basis. It provides useful tips on keeping loved ones with dementia active and occupied and on managing challenging behaviour in lockdown.

As well as this, the charity is also stepping up regular phone calls to carers and patients to tackle loneliness and isolation.

To find out more about your local care organisations, click here.

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