Do you care for someone? Carers Week 2022 is looking for people to share their stories as part of a campaign to make caring “visible, valued and supported”.

Every year Carers Week aims to raise awareness of the vital contribution made by the UK’s 6.5 million carers. This is achieved by highlighting the challenges unpaid carers face, as well as recognising the contribution they make to families and communities across the UK.

Another important element is to help those who don’t consider themselves as undertaking caring roles, so they can access much-needed support.

In three simple steps you can add your voice to the virtual wall on the Carers Week website. Why not encourage your friends and family to do the same? To add your voice to the wall, please click here.

What is a carer?

According to the Carers Week website, a carer is anyone who looks after a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness, addiction, or who needs extra help as they get older.

Caring can impact every aspect of a person’s life, from relationships and health to finances and careers. While many feel that caring is one of the most important things they do, the challenges should not be underestimated.

Caring without the appropriate information and support is tough, which is why Carers Week recognises the contribution carers make to society.

What happens during Carers Week?

From Falmouth to Fort William, thousands of individuals and organisations will come together to support carers by running activities and championing carers in the local community.

Here are just a few of the events taking place up and down the UK:

  • Carers Pamper Day and Garden Party: organised by the Carers Centre Tower Hamlets, London, the event on Monday 6 June will be a chance for carers to relax and be pampered.
  • Carers Disco: the Birmingham Carers Hub is inviting carers to come along to the Symphony Hall on Tuesday 7 June for an evening of fun and music.
  • Community Wall: Carers of West Dunbartonshire are inviting local businesses, organisations, and residents to paint and decorate a pebble and contribute to a Carers Week Community Wall. The finished piece will be shared online.
  • The Big Wellbeing Event: the North East Wales Carers Information Service (NEWCIS) is running a free, fun-packed day in Flintshire on Wednesday 15 June. Explore new practices, therapies and understand more about wellbeing.

There are also lots of events which are available online, so you can get involved from home. To search for events in your local area, visit the Carers Week website.

What is the theme for Carers Week 2022?

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the lives of millions of people providing unpaid care to family and friends. Carers Week, Carers UK and other charities want unpaid carers to live a life beyond their caring responsibilities, and are calling for a Recovery and Respite Plan for unpaid carers.

The support plan covers several areas, including: breaks, respite and care services, infection control, identification of carers, financial help and assistance to help people manage their work and caring responsibilities.

Carers Week is asking people to write to their MP and ask that they support the campaign to help ensure all carers get the support they need. You can add your voice to the campaign by filling out a form by clicking here.

Carers Week is supported by Age UK, Carers Trust, Carers UK, Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA), Oxfam, Rethink Mental Illness and The Lewy Body Society.