carers week 2025
Carers Week is an annual campaign, this year running from 9th June – 15th June, that raises awareness of caring, highlights the challenges faced by unpaid carers, and recognises the vital contribution they make to families and communities across the UK.
This year’s theme, Caring About Equality, draws attention to the challenges unpaid carers face and the changes needed.
Unpaid carers play a vital role in holding our communities together, often stepping in where health and social care services are stretched. They provide essential support to family members and friends, yet all too often, their efforts go unrecognised and unsupported.
Many face increased risks to their physical and mental health, struggle with isolation, and deal with financial pressures and poverty. Their caring role can also mean missing out on opportunities in education, work, and personal development.
Carers should have the same rights, choices, and opportunities as anyone else. Achieving this requires commitment and action across society—from government and employers to schools, universities, and healthcare providers. Let’s work together to create a society where carers are not only recognised, but also empowered to live well, achieve their goals, and thrive both in their caring role and beyond.
- There are approximately 5.8 million unpaid carers in the UK, according to the 2021 Census.
- 56% of carers juggle employment with 35+ hours of unpaid care each week.
- Over a quarter of carers report having bad or very bad mental health.
- 1 in 4 of working carers have had to take on a lower paid or more junior role.
- 70% of carers have a long-term physical or mental health condition, disability or illness, compared to 59% of non-carers.
- The poverty rate for carers is 50 % higher than for people who do not provide care.
- Young adult carers are 38% less likely to achieve a university degree than their peers.
- 1 in 4 of working carers have had to take on a lower paid or more junior role.
Join Us to Celebrate & Raise awareness!
Carers Week is about raising awareness of unpaid carers and the inequalities they face, due to their demanding caring roles. We will also be speaking with professionals across multiple sectors, health and social care, education, employers and businesses, to help them identify potential carers they interact with – customers, patients, clients, or employees – to get them the support they need, to improve the balance of inequality but also their quality of life. If you are a professional, you can find support on our dedicated professionals pages here.
Join us for the fun and raising awareness! Use our calendar below to see what we’ve got coming. Join us for our annual Carers Charity Walk around the beautiful Packington Hall. You can sign up, raise donations for unpaid carers, and have a family walk in the sunshine while connecting with nature.
Download Charity Walk and sponsorship flyer below or click here.
Sun 8th June
Carers Charity Walk
Join us for a 4-mile walk around the beautiful grounds of Packington Estate. We also offer a shorter 3/4 mile walk that is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Location: Meet at St James Church, Packington Hall, CV7 7HF (access via East Gate). If you use What Three Words, follow: traps.scores.drill
Arrival Time: 9.15AM – Walk Begins: 10AM
Please arrive in enough time to register and pay before the walk begins at 10AM
Cost: £8 if paid in advance / £10 on the day. Under 16’s are free
Mon 9th June
Adult Carers Celebration Meet-up
Join us and other carers for a special meet up to celebrate Carers Week. Enjoy entertainment, delicious cakes and the beautiful and relaxing environment of Blossomfield Rose, Blossomfield Rd, Solihull B91 1FN.
Register your interest by clicking here or call us on 0121 788 1143
Tues 10th June
Mens Meet-Up: Pub and Football
For male carers to come together and join us to watch England vs Senegal in the World Cup qualifiers! First drink included.
CLICK HERE REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
During Carers Week, we will be raising awareness of unpaid carers in the community and giving out advice and information. Come and speak to us!
Lily’s Tea Parlour 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre, B37 5TT
Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Shirley Methodist church, Stratford road, B90 3AL
Wed 11th June
Carers Week Young Carers Celebration Club
5-11 years – 5.15pm to 7pm
12-16 years 7.15pm to 9pm
Let’s celebrate! We have a fun evening planned including face painting, glitter tattoos, a special animal experience, arts & crafts and games. Meet other carers and have fun!
You are welcome to drop in
During Carers Week, we will be raising awareness of unpaid carers in the community and giving out advice and information. Come and speak to us!
Reimagine: Elmwood Family Hub
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Elmwood Family Hub, Burtons Way B36 OUG
Thurs 12th June
During Carers Week, we will be raising awareness of unpaid carers in the community and giving out advice and information. Come and speak to us!
Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Three Tress community centre, B37 7TP
Fri 13th June
During Carers Week, we will be raising awareness of unpaid carers in the community and giving out advice and information. Come and speak to us!
Smithton’s Coffeeshop
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Prospect Lane, Solihull B91 1H
Sat 14th June
Beach Trip To Weston-super-Mare (All ages!)
To celebrate Carers Week 2025 we will be hosting our annual beach trip for carers and their family. Relax in the sun, sand, and sea with a proper fish and chips!
Limited Spaces Available.
download resources & posters
You are free to use these resources to raise awareness of unpaid carers, and the support we offer.
How we support unpaid carers
Carers ID Card
Carers in Solihull registered with our service will receive a Carers Identity Card. This card is a handy tool for carers and has 3 main functions
- Quick access to emergency contacts
- Proof of being a carer
- Concessions and free entry to providers
We encourage carers to keep their card in the purse or wallet as this can be a useful tool should you be in an emergency. You can use this for telephone numbers of whom to contact in an emergency and to alert others you are caring for someone who may need help back at home.
You can find our concessions list here
As much as we aim to keep our concession lists up to date, we encourage carers to always check concessions in advance to avoid disappointment. If you know of any changes to current concessions or others not noted, please let us know.
Information & Advice
Getting the right information at the right time can make caring a lot easier. Our Carer Practioners have specialised knowledge to help and guide you on your caring journey.
Emotional Support
A listening ear when you need one, you can call us on 0121 788 1143 and speak to one of the team.
Carers face many challenges, including isolation, exhaustion, and a wide range of emotions that can sometimes feel overwhelming. While talking to a trusted friend or family member can be helpful, it’s often easier and sometimes more effective to speak with someone outside your immediate circle.
We’re here to offer you the opportunity to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through and can support you with the challenges you face.
Carer's Assessments & Support Plans
We are commissioned by Solihull Council to carry out Carers Assessments and Support Plans for carers who care for someone living in Solihull.
A Carers Assessment gives you the opportunity to discuss your caring role, how it impacts different areas of your life and identify what support would be helpful to you. It is a supportive process, where our staff will listen to you without judgement. After the assessment, a support plan will be produced identifying areas of support needed and how these needs can be met.
You can read more about assessments here —
Alternatively, if you would like more information or to request an assessment, please contact us on 0121 788 1134.
Events & Activities
It is important for carers to take a break from caring. We offer a wide range of events and activities that offer respite opportunities for carers, such as:
Day Trips – local attractions / theatre / family beach days
Relaxation Sessions – free relaxation appointments for carers including massage, Reiki and Reflexology
Vouchers – opportunities to receive a cinema or eat out voucher to use independently for a break.
Monthly meet ups – Where carers join us for a cuppa and chat.
On many of our day trips, the person you care for can come along with you (subject to age and capability).
You can find out what’s on and register your interest on our online calendar.
Training & Workshops
We offer a variety of free training workshops to help carers to feel confident and supported in their caring role. Some of our sessions include:
- Contingency planning
- Wills and Power of Attorney
- Benefit advice
- Stress management
- End of life
- Caring for someone with Dementia
- And more
Our sessions are held face to face and online, check out our what’s on page to find out about what sessions we have coming up.
Our Trained Befrienders Are Here For You
Caring can be isolating, and many carers feel the benefit from peer support or talking to others who understand but are not linked to you or your caring situation (for example family or friends).
Our Befrienders are friendly and non-judgmental, ready to listen and help.
This service is an opportunity for you to regularly check in with a matched volunteer to discuss anything on your mind. Befrienders can help you achieve personal goals, source local activities and help navigate services. They can also support you to build confidence and skills or give you the time to be heard.
If you are interested in our befriending service, please contact centre@solihullcarers.org
Online/Digital Support
We have a variety of online resources to help support you in your caring role, whether you are new to caring or have been caring for a while, there is something useful for everyone.
Carers Essential Guides – these guides cover the basics and important topics we think every carer should know about.
Blogs and News – find out the latest news for carers and useful blogs covering a range of topics.
Videos – We have a range of informative videos, some of carers sharing their experiences, professionals advising on benefits, energy costs, health, legal matters and awareness campaigns such as Carers Rights Day
Podcast – Our very own podcast ‘Carers Talk’, where we talk to professionals about carers topics, and other unpaid carers share their experiences, stories, tips and advice. It’s full of useful information we think is important for carers to know.
E-learning – We have created a contingency planning e-learning tool to help you build your own emergency plan. You can do this at your own time in the comfort of your own home.
Register for free to access our services!
To find out more about our services and the support we can offer you, register here, or you can contact our friendly team via phone on 0121 788 1143 or email centre@solihullcarers.org.
Alternatively, you can write to us at the address below:
Carers Trust Solihull
The Carers Centre, Solihull Fire Station Annexe, 620 Streetsbrook Road, Solihull, B91 1QY
Phone: 0121 788 1143
Email: centre@solihullcarers.org
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