For politicians
Millions of people in the UK provide unpaid care for an ill, older, or disabled family member or friend. Unpaid carers live in every area and constituency across the UK.
Unpaid carers hold families together, enable loved ones to get the most out of life, and make an enormous contribution to society. The care they provide is crucial to our health and care systems, but too often comes at great cost to unpaid carers' health and wellbeing. They urgently need your support to continue to care safely and have a life beyond their caring responsibilities.
In many cases, carers aren’t supported to recognise their caring role quickly enough, meaning they miss out on the financial, practical and emotional support available. This intensifies the impact of providing care, with carers missing out on benefits and entitlements, while others are forced to give up work altogether.
That’s why we need your help to raise awareness of the vital role carers play this Carers Week.
Please support carers in your community this Carers Week by:
- Contacting your local carers' organisation to find out what they are doing in your community.
- Sharing our advice and information resources with carers in your constituency.
- Working to create a Carer Friendly Community by encouraging organisations and services in your constituency (e.g. employers, GP surgeries, pharmacies, schools, colleges, universities) to help to identify and support unpaid carers.
Contact us
If you have any questions about getting involved with Carers Week as a politician, please contact policy@carersuk.org