An older person in green smiles with their carer.

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.

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.

Icon for this year's theme of putting carers on the map in the shape of a folded map with a large red pin
'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.