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.

This year, Carers Week starts on 5 June, and Carers Network will have a jam-packed week of activities for unpaid carers in the City of Westminster, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

New findings from Carers UK and the University of Sheffield show that unpaid carers contribute £445 million to the economy in England and Wales every day, which is £162 billion per year, and they should receive the recognition and support they deserve. Unpaid carers support family members and friends who have a disability, a mental or physical illness, an addiction, or who need extra help as they grow older.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge 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. And now, the cost of living crisis is causing further stress for carers, who were already dealing with the financial difficulties that often come with caring. Carers 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.

These are carers like Martin, who has been looking after his wife, who has a physical disability, for 29 years.

“I found out about Carers Network via their texts, emails and especially their flyers. I was able to apply for a grant that I found out about by attending some of the services that Carers Network provide. I was pleasantly surprised to see that help was available.”

During the pandemic, Martin faced numerous challenges while taking care of his wife. The stress and isolation of his caring role left him feeling overwhelmed, but he found relief and a new creative outlet when he joined the art class at Carers Network. Through the class, he was able to express himself, connect with others, and find a much-needed break from his responsibilities.

“Without a shadow of a doubt, the art group has made me feel more valued as a carer. It is a welcome activity that I always look forward to each week. It gives me down-time for myself in a welcoming atmosphere and friendly space. As we are all carers, we are experiencing something similar; we are on the same page and have something in common. In the class I have learnt techniques that have helped to improve my artwork and increase my interest in the subject.”

Martin has also joined the Carers Forums that Carers Network organises and he found them very beneficial.

“I met a number of carers there who had been suffering in silence, and once they’ve joined the Forum, they really opened up, a lot more than they would normally have done. It’s been a real saviour, in more ways than one.”

With the support that they provide to carers like Martin, Carers Network makes sure that carers in the community are recognised and supported, not just during Carers Week, but throughout the whole year.