“Asking for help early on is better than asking for help when it’s too late”

Recent research showed that stigma remains one of those barriers, with four in ten people (39%) saying applying for social security support would make them feel less positive about themselves. 

For Portia Shallcross from Wishaw, this reflects her own experience as an unpaid carer. Portia left her job as an NHS nurse to care full-time for her son Ethan, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Now 15, Ethan is non-verbal and communicates using his own sign language. 

“The caring role never actually stops,” Portia says. “Even when he's sleeping, that's where you start to worry in the middle of the night and start to think what the future is going to look like for him. 

“I think any parent who has a child with a disability anticipates problems before they happen and just gets on with things. We make it look so easy, but it's exhausting.”  

Portia’s story highlights both the dedication of unpaid carers and the very real challenges they face – from emotional strain to financial pressure and loss of identity. 

“You lose a lot of yourself,” she explains. “Work was my escape, but caring becomes your whole life. People don’t always understand Ethan and the support he needs.” 

Support can make a significant difference. Social Security Scotland offers a range of benefits for disabled people of all ages and carers, with a series of improvements made to carer benefits earlier this year.

Ethan receives Child Disability Payment, while Portia receives Carer Support Payment, helping to provide financial stability and peace of mind. 

“The extra money does help,” she says. “Ethan's life is his iPad but on a bad week, you could run a bath and find the iPad is there. You have to constantly have a bit of money aside to get that replaced. It does help knowing that the support is coming and it's guaranteed.” 

However, like many carers, Portia initially found it difficult to seek help due to stigma. 

“There can be a shame around asking for support,” she says. “From my culture, where I grew up, you just got on with things. Asking felt like admitting you couldn’t cope.” 

Alongside financial support, local organisations such as Lanarkshire Carers have played an important role in helping her feel less alone. 

“They’ve been so helpful – even just meeting people in the same situation makes a difference. They understand.” 

Ahead of Carers Week (8-14 June), the message is clear: unpaid carers should be recognised, valued and supported. No one should feel they have to manage caring alone. 

Portia encourages others to reach out early: “Speak to someone as soon as you can. Some people may judge you, but you have to do what’s right for you and your family. Asking for help early is better than asking when it’s too late.”

Find out more

Carers Week is a time to recognise the vital contribution of unpaid carers - people who provide essential, often round-the-clock support to family members, friends and loved ones. Their dedication keeps families together and plays a crucial role in communities, yet many carers still feel undervalued and face barriers to accessing support. 

To find out about financial support for carers and access resources in alternative formats and languages visit Resources - Social Security Scotland