Caring shouldn't mean inequality
The theme for Carers Week 2025 is “Caring about equality”.
All too often, caring for a friend or family member can come at a significant personal cost for the carer. This could be the financial hardship many carers face as a result of having to give up paid work to care for someone.
Or it could be the challenges many young carers face when it comes to accessing education and employment opportunities. Carers of all ages are at a greater risk of isolation and poor health.
Millions of the UK’s unpaid carers looking after disabled, older or ill relatives and friends feel disadvantaged and are also unable to prioritise their own health needs. Many have also developed new mental and physical health conditions since they started caring.
New research for Carers Week 2025 has found 43% of current or former carers have seen a mental or physical health condition develop or become worse since taking on a caring responsibility for someone. This figure is higher again for current carers at 48%.
The research was released by a coalition of charities including Carers Trust, Carers UK Age UK, MND Association, Oxfam GB, Rethink Mental Illness, The ME Association and The Lewy Body Society.
Our CEO explains why it’s vital we all do more to support unpaid carers.
Carers Trust supports carers across the UK through 130 local centres offering support groups, respite services, wellbeing advice, and more.
If you know someone caring for a family member, friend, or neighbour, remind them they’re not alone.
Together with our network of local carer organisations, Carers Trust is working to level the playing field for the UK’s six million carers. With your support, we aim to end carer poverty, stop them being pushed beyond their limits and create a fairer future for young carers.
By supporting us this Carers Week, we can take a step closer to achieving those aims.
Find out more about this year's Carers Week
BBC Breakfast has been reporting on carers in the run up to Carers Week. As part of its coverage, they interviewed Christine, an unpaid carer who cares for her parents.
In the same piece, Carers Trust’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Dominic Carter, describes the huge challenges many other carers are facing, and the urgent need for far more support for carers.
Carers Week 2025 stories
In these videos, carers of all ages speak powerfully about the impact of their caring role on their lives and futures.
You’ll also hear from carers speaking out about the need for more support from schools and Government.
These experiences highlight why, during Carers Week 2025, we are calling for urgent action to tackle the inequalities carers face, and the building of fairer, more equal futures for carers everywhere.
Donate to support carers this Carers Week
Your support means we can reach more carers who are facing unfair challenges, like poverty, social isolation and poor health because of their caring role.
It helps us campaign for carers' rights, connect them with vital services, and ensure they’re not left to cope alone.
Every donation, big or small, helps change lives.
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