This annual campaign raises awareness of unpaid carers, the challenges they face, and the valuable contribution they make to families and communities across the UK.
A carer is anyone - including children and adults - who looks after a family member, partner, or friend who needs help because of illness, frailty, disability, a mental health condition, or addiction, and who cannot cope without their support. 
Many people providing this support do not see themselves as “a carer”, and it can take an average of two years for someone to recognise their role and begin exploring ways to access support. This is often because they do not consider their caring responsibilities to be separate from the relationship they have with the person they care for.
Caring responsibilities can include, but are not limited to:
- Helping with everyday tasks, such as getting out of bed
- Providing personal care, such as washing and dressing
- Offering emotional support to someone experiencing symptoms of mental illness
The economic value of the support provided by unpaid carers is estimated at £184 billion – almost as much as the NHS budget in England.
Carers often put their own needs after those of the person they care for, which can result in them becoming physically or mentally unwell. If their health suffers, they can no longer provide adequate care to anyone else, which is why supporting carers is so important.
“Building Carer Friendly Communities” is the theme of this year’s awareness campaign. It highlights the positive impact that carer friendly communities can have on carers’ lives and reminds us all of the role we can play in making our communities more supportive and inclusive for carers.
Carer friendly communities recognise, understand and provide services and community groups for unpaid carers, helping them feel supported and ensuring they receive the help they need.
Get involved and make your community carer friendly.
Read more about Support for carers.
