This yearโs Carers Week (9โ15 June 2025) was all about Caring About Equality. Itโs a reminder that unpaid carers often face real and lasting inequalities due to their caring role, from struggling with their own health and finances to missing out on education, work, and social opportunities. Many carers feel invisible and can struggle to find the support they need.ย
The national campaign brings together individuals, organisations, charities, and communities to:ย
- Raise awareness of the challenges unpaid carers faceย
- Recognise and celebrate the essential work they doย
- Encourage carers to access support they might not know is availableย
- Push for change, so carers are better supported by society, services, and governmentย
Throughout the week we spread awareness throughout the community, speaking to employers schools, healthcare providers and local support organisations. We offered information and advice on how they can recognise carers, what support is available and how they can create a fairer, more supportive society for carers.
Community Outreach
During Carers Week, we visited 28 organisations and businesses across the community, handing out 166 information bags filled with support materials for unpaid carers. Some of the places we visited included B&Q, M&S, Lilyโs Tea Parlour, Smithtons Food Market, Three Trees Community Centre, Re-Imagine CIC, and Asda.ย
We also worked to raise awareness of young and young adult carers in Solihullโs schools. In total, we visited 66 schools and distributed 526 โGoodie Bagsโ filled with helpful information and advice to support schools in identifying and assisting their young carers. We also supported schools in applying for the Young Carers in Schools (YCiS) programme.ย
To learn more about the YCiS initiative and how you can support young carers in education, visit our dedicated Professionals Hub by clicking here!ย
Charity Walk
We kicked out Carers Week with our annual charity Walk, at the stunning area of natural beauty of Packington Estate. It was a chance for all to join us, including our carers and their families, to enjoy a sun-filled walk through nature, as well as raising sponsorships with all funds raised going towards supporting the unpaid carers of Solihull. With massive support and additional donations from UB Healthcare and Knowle Gate Care Home – Avery Healthcare, we managed to raise an incredible ยฃ1,950!ย
Thank you to everyone who came along and helped to raise invaluable funds for our unpaid carers.
Health
Our Health Liaison was busy meeting and presenting to various health groups, hospitals and GPs throughout Solihull and Birmingham during the week.
It is important that healthcare settings and GPs can recognise when someone is an unpaid carer, as many people donโt see themselves in that role despite providing essential support. Without recognition, carers are at greater risk of stress, burnout, and health issues, which can impact both them and the person they care for. Early identification means the right support can be offered, helping carers stay healthy and continue in their role effectively.
Below, you can watch our presentation to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health staff and the discussion around supporting carers in health settings.
We also held information stands during the week at the Core Solihull and Solihull Hospital, where we were promoting and reaching out to the community!
To learn how healthcare professionals can identify and support unpaid carers, you can learn more with our dedicated Professionals Hub by clicking here.ย
Adult Carers Celebration
As part of Carers Week, we hosted a special monthly meet-up for our adult carers, filled with tea, coffee, cake, and a wonderful live performance by the talented Milly Sophie Rose. Held in the beautiful grounds of Blossomfield Rose, the event brought together carers and residents in a joyful celebration. It was a fantastic opportunity to relax, connect, share stories, and even enjoy a good sing-along!
Look at the photos below and you can see how many smiles (and slices of cake) were had.
Young & Young Adult Carers Celebration Clubs
Our young carers celebrated at their monthly club by having some extra special guests and activities, including an exotic animal visit, face painting and glitter tattoos! Respite opportunities like this are rare for many of our young carers. Events like these give them a much-needed break from daily responsibilities and the chance to just be children, have fun, and enjoy themselves.
We hold regular clubs for our young and young adult carers, at Hatchford Brook Family Hub (Previously Hatchford Brook Youth Centre), for more information please get in touch.
During the week we also announced our networking event for Young Carers Action Day next March. The event is for young carers and their families, and agencies that support young people, to come together to discuss and share what support they need and can offer to improve the lives of young and young adult carers. Watch the video below to learn more and sign up by clicking here to make “Solihull Young Carer Friendly”.
Beach Trip to Weston-super-Mare
Last but certainly not least, was our annual beach trip to Weston-super-Mare. Open to all of our unpaid carers, we have a packed coach on their way to enjoy the sun, sea and sand of Weston! It was another chance for carers and their families to have a well-deserved break.ย
Playing, eating, relaxing, baking in the sun and enjoying the arcadesโit was the perfect day and perfect way to bring another successful Carers Week to a stunning conclusion!
Thank you to Everyone for making Carers Week 2025 a massive successโSee you again next year!
Assets Credits
Music:
Killing Time by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Images:
https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/footprints-boot-shoe-foot_43313940.htm
https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/cute-colorful-decorative-balloons_2271246.htm
https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/beach-elements-collection-with-clothes-flat-style_2170221.htm
https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/vintage-floral-background_759499.htm
