Southampton has largest number of unpaid carers in Hampshire

This is according to data from charity Carers UK, which estimates around 18,130 people in the city are unpaid carers, providing care worth £614 million in 2021 alone.

The data also states around 145,000 people in Hampshire are unpaid carers, and their combined care is worth £4.45 billion.

Nationally, unpaid care is worth an estimated £184 billion annually.

Despite this, many carers feel invisible and undervalued, as more than half (55 percent) want more recognition from the public.

A Specsavers Home Visits director, Chris Smith, said: "Our Home Visits colleagues are in people’s homes every day, seeing first-hand the incredible support carers give to their loved ones.

"It’s so important unpaid carers and their loved ones get the support and also the recognition they deserve."

To emphasise the immense yet often overlooked contribution of carers, Specsavers Home Visits and Carers UK have unveiled 'The Most Valuable Portrait'.

This artwork, created by artist Colin Davidson, symbolises the dedication of unpaid carers across the UK.

It is valued at a symbolic value of £184 billion by London's fine art auction house, Roseberys.

Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: "Without unpaid carers, our health and social care system would collapse.

"We want to see greater acknowledgment for the true value of unpaid care, a lifeline for many that often goes unrecognised."

The portrait features the face of UK carer Jaycee La Bouche, who cares for her mother.

Jaycee said: "It is such an honour to have had my story and experience as a carer immortalised in a portrait."

For more information about the portrait, how to purchase it, or accessing support for carers through the new Specsavers Carers Hub, visit specsavers.co.uk/most-valuable-portrait.

The portrait was unveiled at the Saatchi Gallery on May 29 and was on display at London’s South Bank from May 30 to June 1.

It will now be put up for sale, with all proceeds going to Carers UK.