Why we should all care about Carers Week
By Claire Easton, chief executive of North Tyneside Carers’ Centre
Every day, unpaid carers make extraordinary sacrifices to support the people they love, often at a cost to their own health, wellbeing, and financial security. Despite their vital role in society, too many carers still face deep-rooted inequalities that are often invisible to the wider world.
Carers aren’t all the same. They come from all walks of life, every age group, and every community. But whether it’s a parent caring for a child with additional needs, a young person helping out at home, or someone juggling work and caring for an elderly family member, the challenges are strikingly similar. It can mean fewer opportunities, reduced income, poor mental health, and lack of recognition.
In fact, recent research by Carers UK shows:
- 51% of carers say their financial situation is negatively impacting their mental health
- 61% feel anxious or stressed when they think about money
- 73% of carers feel stressed having to juggle work and their caring role
No one should be forced to choose between caring for a loved one and having a career. No young person should have to give up on education because of caring duties, and no carer should be pushed to the edge financially just because they put someone else first.
What does equality mean for carers?
True equality means creating a society where carers are valued, supported, and seen. It means:
- Flexible workplaces that accommodate caring responsibilities
- Accessible benefits that recognise the cost of caring
- Mental health and wellbeing support tailored to carers
- Diverse representation of carers’ voices in policy and planning
Why Carers Week matters
Carers Week is an annual national 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.
This year’s theme is “Caring about Equality”, highlighting the inequalities unpaid carers face every day in their health, finances, employment and access to support.
This Carers Week, we’re hosting a series of events to raise awareness of the support out there for carers, to help find those people who may not yet identify as carers and to help them connect with others in the same situation.
Carers Week is a chance to make the invisible visible. We want every unpaid carer in North Tyneside to know they are seen, valued and supported and that they are not alone.
It is a difficult time with benefit changes and the cost of living crisis – so we would encourage carers to come and join one of our events, meet the team and find out more about how they could be supported.
If you’re a carer, or you know someone who is, explore our support services or come along to one of our Carers Week events. Find out more here: Carers Week activities