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 takes place from 09-15 June 2025, and Carers Network will host a full schedule of activities for unpaid carers in the City of Westminster, the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

This year the theme is ‘Caring About Equality’ highlighting the inequalities faced by unpaid carers, including a greater risk of poverty, social isolation, poor mental and physical health. Far too often, carers of all-ages miss out on opportunities in their education, careers, or personal lives, just because of their caring role.

Research has found that:

70% of carers have a long-term physical or mental health condition, disability or illness compared to 59% of non-carers (GP Patient Survey (2024))
The poverty rate for carers is 50 % higher than for people who do not provide care (Carers UK and WPI Economics (2024) Poverty amongst unpaid carers in the UK.)
1 in 4 carers of working carers have had to take on a lower paid or more junior role. (Carers UK (2024) State of Caring 2024 – The impact of caring on employment.)

Millions of people across the UK provide unpaid care for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, mental health conditions, or addiction, cannot manage without their support.
It is estimated that these carers save the economy £162 billion annually, equivalent to the cost of a second NHS.

Carers should have the same life chances and opportunities as people without caring responsibilities. To make this happen, action is needed right across the board, with government, schools, colleges, universities, workplaces and health and social care services all having a vital role to play.

“This Carers Week, we are shining a spotlight on the stark inequalities unpaid carers continue to face every day. From financial hardship and social isolation to the toll on their own health, carers are too often left unsupported while shouldering enormous responsibility. At Carers Network, we believe that unpaid carers must be recognised not just with words, but with meaningful action. This means sustained investment, inclusion in policy decisions, and coordinated support across public services. Caring should never come at the cost of opportunity, wellbeing, or dignity.”
Brian Jones, Chief Executive, Carers Network