Over 20 years experience of training in the care sector
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Over 20 years experience of training in the care sector
Call us on
020 3129 5667
Carers Week 2026 takes place from 8–14 June and shines a spotlight on the millions of unpaid carers across the UK who provide vital support to family members, friends and loved ones every day.
Led by Carers UK and supported by a number of national charities, Carers Week is an annual awareness campaign that raises awareness of caring, recognises the contribution unpaid carers make, and highlights the challenges they can face. This year’s theme, “Building Carer Friendly Communities,” focuses on creating communities where carers are recognised, valued and supported.
Across the UK, millions of people provide unpaid care for a relative, partner, friend or neighbour who is older, disabled, living with a long-term health condition, or experiencing mental ill health. Many carers do not identify themselves as carers at first and may not realise support is available to them.
Caring can be rewarding, but it can also bring challenges. Many carers balance their caring responsibilities alongside work, education, family commitments and their own health needs. Some experience financial pressures, social isolation, stress, or difficulty accessing services and support.
Carers Week provides an opportunity to raise awareness of these challenges while celebrating the enormous contribution carers make to families, communities and society. It encourages organisations, employers, healthcare providers, local authorities and communities to consider how they can better support carers and help them thrive.
The theme for Carers Week 2026 is “Building Carer Friendly Communities.” The campaign highlights the importance of creating places, services and environments where carers feel recognised, understood and valued.
A carer friendly community is one where carers can access support, information and opportunities without unnecessary barriers. It is a community where caring responsibilities are acknowledged and where people understand the important role carers play.
Building carer friendly communities means taking practical action to ensure carers are identified early, connected with support and able to maintain their own wellbeing alongside their caring role.
Carer friendly communities can be found in many different settings, including:
Workplaces that offer flexible working arrangements and support employees with caring responsibilities.
Health and social care services that identify carers and signpost them to advice and support.
Schools, colleges and universities that recognise and support young carers.
Community groups, faith organisations and local services that provide opportunities for carers to connect with others.
Local businesses and organisations that understand the needs of carers and make services accessible.
Sometimes small actions can make a significant difference. Taking the time to ask a carer how they are doing, offering flexibility, signposting support services or simply recognising their contribution can help carers feel valued and less isolated.
The message behind this year’s campaign is clear: supporting carers is not just the responsibility of health and social care services. Communities, employers, organisations, friends and neighbours all have a role to play in creating environments where carers feel supported.
There are many ways for individuals, organisations and care providers to take part in Carers Week.
Whether you are an unpaid carer yourself, support carers through your work, or simply want to raise awareness, there are opportunities to get involved throughout the week.
Many organisations host events, workshops, wellbeing sessions, information days, networking opportunities and awareness campaigns designed to celebrate and support carers.
Taking part can help carers connect with local services, access information, build relationships and discover support that may improve their wellbeing.
A wide range of activities and events are taking place across the UK during Carers Week.
These events may include support groups, information sessions, coffee mornings, wellbeing activities, training events, community gatherings and awareness campaigns.
If you would like to find activities in your local area or online, you can search the official Carers Week activities directory:
The directory is regularly updated and provides a great way to discover events that may be relevant to carers, families, professionals and organisations.
Carers Week provides a range of free resources that can help organisations and individuals raise awareness and show support for carers.
Resources include:
Posters
Social media graphics
Campaign materials
Activity ideas
Awareness resources
Promotional assets
These resources can be used by care providers, employers, community organisations, schools, healthcare services and anyone wishing to support the campaign.
Using these materials is an easy way to start conversations about caring and help spread awareness throughout your organisation or community.
At CareTutor, we recognise the invaluable contribution carers make every day.
Training and education can help carers build confidence, develop practical knowledge and improve their understanding of a wide range of health and social care topics. Access to flexible learning can be particularly beneficial for carers who may need to fit training around busy schedules and caring responsibilities.
Whether you are an unpaid carer looking to expand your knowledge, a personal assistant, support worker, family member or someone interested in health and social care, access to high-quality learning can help you feel more confident and informed.
CareTutor’s online course shop provides flexible access to a wide range of health and social care courses that can be completed at your own pace and from any location.
Supporting carers is not only beneficial for the individuals providing care. It also benefits families, communities, health services and society as a whole.
When carers are supported, they are more likely to maintain their own health and wellbeing, remain connected to their communities and continue providing care safely and effectively.
Carer friendly communities can help reduce isolation, improve access to information, support employment opportunities and strengthen community connections. They can also encourage earlier access to support services, helping to prevent carers from reaching crisis point.
By recognising carers and responding to their needs, organisations can make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.
If you would like to learn more about Carers Week, explore this year’s theme or discover additional resources and events, visit the official Carers Week website:
Carers Week 2026 is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the millions of unpaid carers who support family members, friends and loved ones every day.
This year’s theme, “Building Carer Friendly Communities,” reminds us that everyone has a role to play in ensuring carers feel recognised, valued and supported.
Whether through raising awareness, attending an event, downloading campaign resources, supporting a colleague with caring responsibilities, or investing in learning and development, small actions can have a lasting impact.
Together, we can help build communities where carers are visible, appreciated and empowered to thrive.
Want to strengthen the skills and confidence of your care team this Carers Week? Get in touch to explore CareTutor’s flexible learning and development solutions.