Carers’ Week: recognising unpaid carers and building carer‑friendly communities

Across the UK, millions of people quietly care for family, friends and neighbours. It is a moment to say thank you, and a chance to reflect on everyday care. As a trusted home care provider, Caremark shines a light on unpaid caregivers. We help people recognise when caring is part of their lives. Our team offers practical support that eases pressure at home. During this week, we share clear guidance and real experiences. This helps our team reach and support more families. We highlight practical ways to celebrate caregivers during this time. In fact, planning ahead for Carers Week 2026 is a great way to show support. We encourage communities to recognise and support local carers.

What Carers’ Week is and why it matters

It is a UK-wide campaign recognizing unpaid carers and the challenges they face. This year’s theme emphasizes building supportive communities that help them balance work, commitments, and their own wellbeing. A carer regularly supports someone unable to manage independently due to age, illness, disability, mental health, or addiction. Essentially, it is the person ensuring a loved one lives safely and well. In 2026, Carers Week 2026 will place special emphasis on the needs of unpaid carers adapting to new challenges.

Carers UK and local networks support events helping the public understand the practical realities of caregiving. Regional guides and resources from Carers UK provide accessible definitions of their responsibilities, empowering audiences to act with confidence. By raising awareness during this week, the campaign seeks to ensure that the wider community sees, hears, and supports those stepping in to help others, especially in the lead up to Carers Week 2026.

Carers include spouses, parents of disabled children, adult children, friends, neighbours, and young people. Their diverse roles range from personal care and medication prompts to cooking, transport, and emotional support.

This year’s campaign takes place in June, featuring nationwide events to help people recognise their caregiving roles, access advice, and connect with vital support. Early identification is crucial; it eases stress and prevents burnout by guiding families toward assessments, benefits, and respite care.

Campaign messaging highlights local events and ongoing involvement opportunities. Many sessions are co-hosted with Carers UK to ensure consistent, reliable information across regions. By using clear, plain language to define responsibilities and pathways, the campaign makes support easy to find. This ensures more families feel confident seeking help during the week and throughout wider care week activities across the UK. Importantly, planning involvement in Carers Week 2026 early ensures maximum community benefit.

How Caremark supports carers during Carers Week and beyond

Caremark is local, personal and safe. We work alongside families to share the load and keep life running smoothly at home. Our Care Assistants are trained, consistent and kind, bringing calm reassurance with every visit.

• Reliable respite at home, planned around everyday routines so you can take regular breathers.
• Flexible care plans that adapt as needs change, with clear communication and continuity.
• Wellbeing check‑ins , including time to talk, gentle signposting and self‑care tips.
• Coordination with GPs and community services, where appropriate, to keep everyone informed.
• Named Care Assistants who arrive on time and follow agreed routines you can count on.

This week, many Caremark locations host welcoming events like coffee mornings, information stands, and short learning sessions on dementia support, medication routines, and safe moving. Some teams partner with Carers UK or local carers’ centres to offer joint activities and complimentary respite tasters.

You can use our branch locator to find your nearest Caremark office and discover what’s on for Carers Week 2026. We also share highlights from previous years to help you plan ahead and connect with trusted resources.

These events are designed to help you understand caring responsibilities and access support quickly. With clear signposting aligned with Carers UK guidance, we ensure more families find the tailored options they need during care week and throughout the year. Above all, Carers Week 2026 will be an opportunity to spotlight the unique voices of carers across Britain.

Get involved: support, resources and next steps

Everyone can help during the week. Check in with a neighbour, offer to sit with the person they support, or share details of local groups. Employers can review flexible working. Schools can identify and support young caregivers. Community venues can host carer‑friendly events and promote nearby activities through Carers UK and local channels. Taking part in the campaign is a simple way to champion unpaid caregivers in 2026 and beyond, and many activities provide quick access to advice and peer support.

If you provide unpaid care, you may be entitled to a local council carer’s assessment and benefits like Carer’s Allowance. Caremark Sutton can guide you toward council services, online resources, and condition-specific charities. Ahead of Carer’s Week 2026, we can also explain how home care and respite fit around your life and discuss possible funding routes. Additionally, we look forward to supporting you throughout Carers Week 2026 and helping you get the most from the campaign.

Our advisors offer clear, practical guidance and friendly signposting so you know exactly where to start and feel supported year-round. As annual activities approach, we refresh our resources to highlight relevant events and point to trusted networks, including National hubs and local directories.