ABOUT CARERS WEEK

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

The campaign is brought to life by thousands of individuals and organisations who come together to provide support for carers, run activities, highlight the vital role carers play in our communities and draw attention to just how important caring is.

This year the theme is ‘Putting Carers on the Map’ highlighting the invaluable contributions of carers across the UK and ensuring their voices are heard loud and clear. Together we want to help increase the visibility of the carers among politicians, employers and throughout our communities. And by raising awareness we hope they will better recognise the challenges unpaid carers face and help them access the support they deserve.

For this years full programme of events CLICK HERE

WHO IS A CARER?

A carer is anyone who looks after a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness, addiction, or who needs extra help as they grow older. The impact of caring on all aspects of life from relationships and health to finances and work can be significant. Whilst many feel that caring is one of the most important things they do, its challenges should not be underestimated. Caring without the right information and support can be tough. It is vitally important that we recognise the contribution carers make to their families and local communities, workplaces and society, and that they get the support they need.

Carers need to be recognised for the difficulties they are experiencing, respected for all they are doing, provided with information, and given the support they need to care safely.

‘Putting carers on the map‘ is the theme for this year, where we want to make sure that the voices of unpaid carers are heard by politicians, employers, service providers, educational establishments, journalists and throughout our communities. We want caring to be made more visible, ensuring that carers feel seen and respected and that they can access the services and support that they need.

Each day will have a specific focus too:

• Monday: Launching our latest Carers Week research
• Tuesday: Health and social care
• Wednesday: Work and employment
• Thursday: Younger carers
• Friday: Older carers
• Saturday: Mental health and wellbeing
• Sunday: Reflections on Carers Week

And there will be plenty of ways to get involved in the lead up to Carers Week – or by participating in the hundreds of events and activities that will be promoted throughout the UK and online during the week itself.