People with caring responsibilities for both older and younger family members, often called the ‘sandwich generation’, carry much of the brunt of unpaid caring. Initiated by GMCVO and being carried forward by 10GM, this joint project was developed in collaboration with policy and practice experts, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the University of Greenwich. It contributes important knowledge about the experiences of sandwich generation carers, aiming to unlock additional caring capacity for the NHS and future support for these under-recognised carers and their communities.
A participatory scoping study of experiences of unpaid caregiving among members of the ‘sandwich generation’ in Greater Manchester’s communities
This exploratory pilot study aimed to understand the experiences of caregiving among the sandwich generation, a group with care responsibilities for both members of the older and the younger generation. Although crucial, unpaid care providers are often overlooked in research, policy, and practice. The work particularly focused on experiences of diverse groups within this category, answering the question: What are the caring experiences and challenges faced by the sandwich generation, and what support is needed?
Sandwich generation carers are trying to reconcile competing expectations, needs, and demands, which can negatively affect their health and well-being. Sandwich generation carers are often under-recognised and exist outside carer support provision. Learning more about the challenges sandwich carers face is important to address their present and future health and well-being needs. It is also important for the NHS because family care is an essential part of social and health care nationally and in Greater Manchester.