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.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a monumental impact on unpaid carers’ lives – not only because of the increased amount of care that many provided, but because of the far-reaching effect that providing this level of care has had on unpaid carers. Many people also took on new caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and who need support.

They 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. So during Carers Week, we are coming together to make caring Visible, Valued and Supported.

A Recovery and Respite Plan for Unpaid Carers

This Carers Week, Carers UK and the other charities involved this year are calling for the UK Government to publish a Recovery and Respite Plan for Unpaid Carers – outlining additional support for carers across a range of areas, including: breaks, respite and care services, infection control, identification of carers, financial help, and support to help people juggle work alongside their caring responsibilities. We’ve written an open letter to the Prime Minister which you can read here.

Please write to your MP today and ask that they support our campaign to help ensure all carers get the support they need. We have provided a template letter and, if you are currently caring, ask that you please add your own personal experience of caring and how it has affected you, before sending it.

Send your email by clicking here.

Get involved 

We all have a role to play in helping make caring Visible, Valued and Supported, whether it’s by providing support to a member of your local community group or connecting with a family member or friend who is caring for someone.

You can find out more about Carers Week and how to get involved here: www.carersweek.org

Carers Week is led by Carers UK, with the support of six other national charities in 2022: Age UK, Carers Trust, MND Association, Rethink Mental Illness, Oxfam GB and The Lewy Body Society.