Carers Week 2023
Carers Week is a major week raising the awareness of caring, highlighting the challenges and pressures unpaid carers face, and recognising the vital contribution they make to families and communities across the UK. The week is organised by leading UK charities; Carers UK, Carers Trust, Age UK, Motor Neurone Disease Association, Oxfam, Rethink Mental Illness and The Lewy Body Society.
This year's theme is 'recognising and supporting carers in the community'. Unpaid carers are not being identified means they miss out on a range of practical and financial support available on them.
Carers Week 2023 research report
Carers Week charities commissioned YouGov to carry out polling of the general public, including adults who are currently providing unpaid care.
Carers Week 2023 press release
An estimated 19 million people in the UK who provide or have provided unpaid care have not identified as a carer. Find out more.
Carers' stories
Unpaid carers tell their own story. There are seven million unpaid cares in the UK that's 10% of the population and 60% of us are expected to be unpaid carers at some point in our lifetime.
Find out what's it's like to be an unpaid carer or if you're an unpaid carer yourself these stories show you're not alone in the pressures, challenges and stresses that come with caring.
There will be a carer story published each week day during Carers Week. If you're inspired by one of these stories to share your own story as an unpaid carer please contact web@carers.org.
Bethany's Story
Find out more about Bethany's caring journey of looking after her mother and brother. From juggling work responsibilities, her typical day through to advice for other carers.
Raymond's Story
Raymond has cared for his wife Doreen for over 17 years and used the support of a Carers Trust Network Partner and local carer centre to aid him in his caring role.
Influencing policy during Carers Week
Carers Trust CEO Kirsty McHugh and six other Carers Week charities met Minister for Social Care Helen Whately on 11th May to discuss Carers Week.
The following topics were discussed; the opportunities to identify unpaid carers, how to address challenges faced by carers and connecting carers with support.
Carers Employability Support and Employment Opportunities webinar (with the Civil Service Going Forward in Employment Team)
Carers Trust has a partnership with the Civil Service and through their Going Forward Into Employment (GFIE) scheme we are signposting carers of all ages to dedicated roles across Civil Service departments.
The Carers Employability Support and Employment Opportunities webinar is welcoming unpaid carers and carers centre staff to attend. It will inform on work, finance and the support unpaid carers receive going into employment.
Our partnership with the Civil Service brings together programmes on Young Carers Futures and Adults In Focus which will give specific advice about employment for the different age groups. In the webinar, hear directly from an unpaid carer involved in the scheme.
Register to watch the webinar here. The webinar is 12:00-1:00pm, Wednesday 7th June.
What's happening this Carers Week?
There's a number of activities and events happening on 5-11 June across the UK for all ages that can be attended in-person or online.
An array of exciting, informing and enjoyable Carers Week events are available from relaxed social events, sporting events, activities like free National Trust walks to group discussions about challenges carers face and talks offering advice for unpaid carers.
Check out the events below and get involved.
Carers Trust events during Carers Week 2023
You can get involved in a wide range of activities and events Carers Trust are organising during Carers Week. Find out here.
