A Wandsworth woman has become the face of a groundbreaking national campaign celebrating the UK’s unpaid carers — in a portrait symbolically valued at £184 billion.
Jaycee La Bouche, who cares full-time for her mother, was chosen as the subject of The Most Valuable Portrait, a striking new work by renowned artist Colin Davidson, best known for painting Queen Elizabeth II and Ed Sheeran.
Commissioned by Specsavers Home Visits in partnership with Carers UK, the portrait aims to spotlight the hidden contributions of more than 5.7 million unpaid carers across the country — whose labour is estimated to be worth £184 billion a year.
More on Jaycee
Jaycee’s selection recognises not only her own tireless efforts, but also the broader unpaid care network supporting elderly, disabled, and chronically ill loved ones — often with little recognition or support. The Wandsworth resident’s story was chosen to represent the reality of millions of lives shaped by compassion and sacrifice.
“I’ve had to give up a lot, but I don’t regret it,” she told reporters. “It’s love. But it’s also work — and that work deserves to be seen.”
The portrait was unveiled at London’s Saatchi Gallery before being displayed at the South Bank, drawing national media coverage and emotional responses from care advocates. It has since been dubbed “the most valuable portrait” by auction house Roseberys — not for its market price, but to match the estimated value of the unpaid care economy.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said the portrait was designed to put a face to an issue often overlooked. “We wanted people to see not just the emotional weight of caring, but also its economic scale. Jaycee represents the dignity and dedication of millions.”
Specsavers’ Home Visits service — which provides eye and hearing tests to people in their homes — backed the campaign as part of its broader support for carers. Chief audiologist Gordon Harrison said the artwork aimed to challenge perceptions and push for better recognition.
Caring in Wandsworth
In Wandsworth, where more than 20,000 residents identify as unpaid carers, campaigners hope the portrait will inspire greater awareness and local support. The borough, like many others, relies heavily on informal carers to relieve pressure on social care services.
Jaycee’s moment in the spotlight is a reminder of the invisible workforce that keeps families and communities afloat. As one onlooker at the South Bank display put it: “This is long overdue. Carers like her deserve to be recognised — and heard.”
You can hear Jaycee talk about her experience of caring in this video:
