Carers Week is a partnership of 9 national charities:

Age UK, Carers UK, Counsel & Care, Crossroads Care, Dementia UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Parkinson’s UK, and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers

The partnership was formed in 2001; the week having previously been organised by Carers UK (then known as Carers National Association). Since that time the number of events and activities has expanded from 200 to over 5,000, and the number of local partners from 70 to over 1,200.

 In 2011:

- More than 100,000 carers took part in Carers Week
- Over 8,000 events and activities were held across the UK, organised by over 1,700 local organisations
- Nearly 400 MPs signed up to support Carers Week

In 2012 we will be highlighting how:

• the health and well-being of carers is paramount
• cuts to local services does have a knock on effect on the health and well being of unpaid carers.
• recognition by professionals, and by others who impact on carers day-to-day lives, can help to make a massive difference

The primary objectives of Carers Week are:

• Recognising and celebrating the contribution that the UK’s six million carers make to those they care for, and to their communities

 • Raising the profile of carers and the awareness about the needs and role of carers;  influencing and informing opinion-formers and decision-makers (such as MPs and healthcare professionals) and helping to secure increased resources for carers from central and local government

• Identifying ‘hidden carers’, with the aim of enabling them to access support and services

• Encouraging local organisations to work together to promote recognition, support and services for carers

 • Highlighting the support and services that Carers Week national partners offer to carers

Carers Week is also about celebrating the contribution that carers make to those they care for, and bringing to the fore the issues carers tell us are most important to them.

With the help of thousands of carers and local organisations who support carers, we will this year reach out to even more carers who currently don’t know about or have access to the support and services available to them.