Carers Week 2025

Carers Week is an annual campaign that aims to raise awareness of unpaid carers by shining a light on the challenges they face and recognise the massive contributions they make for families and communities throughout the UK.

This year’s theme, ‘Caring About Equality’, highlights the inequalities unpaid carers face and what is needed to create a fairer society for carers. Inequalities can create negative impacts for carers’ lives, including putting them at increased risk of financial hardship, social isolation, and poor mental and physical health.

The impact of care

Care affects so many of us and many people end up becoming unpaid carers every day. Research in this year’s Carers Week report suggests there are 11.9 million people currently providing unpaid support to family members and friends who are ill, disabled, or older.

Caring can have a substantial impact and can affect many aspects of life, from work and finances to health and relationships. The cost of the support unpaid carers provide is also significant. Research from Centre for Care and Carers UK found the economic value of the support provided by unpaid carers amounted to £184 billion a year.

This Carers Week, together with partner charities, we are calling for greater equality for all carers and for the Government to commit to introducing a National Carers Strategy that helps to address the challenges carers face.