As we wrap up Carers Week, we'd like to say thank you to everyone who hosted or took part in a Carers Week activity, shared their story, added their name, and supported our campaign. Your efforts have helped highlight the vital role unpaid carers play in our communities.

Thank you to everyone who has added their name to the Building Carer Friendly Communities digital wall. Don't forget to add yours if you haven't done so already! Add your name here 👉 https://carersweek.pulse.ly/m6adsmnh4g

'Building Carer Friendly Communities: a blueprint' A new resource offering guidance on how to create carer friendly communities across health, social care, education, employment, business and services, and out and about in the wider community. Read more: https://bit.pulse.ly/lefjzho82i

Today’s #CarersWeek focus is community. Almost a quarter of carers said they had been unable to take part in local groups or activities. We can all play a part in making sure carers feel more connected. Read our report to find out more: https://bit.pulse.ly/l2e4tfydhk

This Carers Week, the Department of Health and Social Care is recognising the vital contribution of unpaid carers and young carers, and the importance of building carer friendly communities. Read more: https://bit.pulse.ly/zo7ql1gnjp

Young carers and adult carers met with Sir Ed Davey MP and Alison Bennett MP yesterday to share their experiences, and to discuss the importance of creating communities where carers of all-ages are recognised, valued and supported.

Stuart Andrew MP and Shadow Secretary for Health and Social Care met with a group of unpaid carers during #CarersWeek to hear about their experiences of caring and discuss how communities can better recognise and support carers.

A highlight of Carers Week was the annual parliamentary event. There was fantastic engagement with 90 MPs and Peers hearing direct from unpaid carers about the challenges cares face, the support they urgently need and the importance of building carer friendly communities.

Today’s #CarersWeek’s focus is business and services. By being more aware of carers’ needs and the challenges they face, businesses and services can make everyday places more welcoming, flexible, and accessible. Read why building carer friendly communities matters: https://bit.pulse.ly/yaxteu85tj

Paul struggled with his mental health after his son was diagnosed with autism, ADHD and Dyspraxia. Finding little support for male carers. He founded SENDS 4 Dad, helping dads support each other Thank you to Paul and @carers-uk.bsky.social for sharing. Read more: https://bit.pulse.ly/xswajtmg0j

Young carer, Brooke, looks after her brother who has Phenylketonuria and autism. She shares how she balances caring with school and how much visiting her local carer centre helped. Thank you to Brooke and @carerstrust.bsky.social for sharing. Read the full story: https://bit.pulse.ly/6gg5rcgufi

Today’s #Carers Week’s focus is education. 46% of young carers leave school with five GCSEs, compared to 60-65% of peers without caring responsibilities. Explore the Building Carer Friendly Communities blueprint for ways to inspire action in education. Learn more: https://bit.pulse.ly/zbk3fajufc

Today we're in Westminster holding a parliamentary event for #CarersWeek. We've invited carers to talk to MPs and Peers about the reality of caring and the need to build carer friendly communities.

Suzie, an NHS healthcare professional  shares her experience of supporting her 16-year-old daughter who has ME/CFS and the positive support she’s received from her employer. Thank you to Suzie and @meassociation.org.uk for sharing this story. Read the full story: https://bit.pulse.ly/gtgf0qu5xd

If you want to support the call for more carer friendly communities, add your name to the Carers Week digital wall and be part of a movement to help support carers across the UK. Add your name today: https://carersweek.pulse.ly/wv506luhzy

Today's #CarersWeek’s focus is work. Nearly 3 million people are currently juggling paid work and care in the UK. We’re encouraging all employers to ensure they support and empower unpaid carers in the workplace. Learn more: https://bit.pulse.ly/s6ovismpcb

Karen’s husband, Alan, was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2019 and Lewy body dementia in 2022. She shares her experience with carer friendly communities and what more could be done. Thank you to Karen and @lewybodysociety.bsky.social for sharing. Read the story: https://bit.pulse.ly/tmcfgzd0rr

Carers Week is in full swing and there are so many activities to participate in either in-person or online. From info sessions to wellbeing activities and art workshops to day trips, there's something for everybody. Take a look: https://bit.pulse.ly/gbdrhda18d

Today #CarersWeek focus is social care. Read our new ‘Building Carer Friendly Communities’ blueprint containing helpful tips, resources and good practice to inspire action within different communities, including the social care sector. Take a look 👉 https://carersuk.pulse.ly/efoxofhvp9

@alisonebennett.bsky.social MP and Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Care and Carers, and @helenmorganlibdem.bsky.social MP and Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Health and Social Care, met with unpaid carers to discuss building carer friendly communities. Learn more: bit.pulse.ly/eeoajukqos

Carers told us what they thought the biggest benefit of being part of a carer friendly community would be. They rated feeling valued, happier and feeling less stressed as the most important ones. Read our new report to find out more. https://bit.pulse.ly/muzmmudldm #CarersWeek

Today #CarersWeek’s focus is on health We asked carers which services and organisations they thought were the most carer friendly. Pharmacies topped their list! Read our report to find how communities within the NHS can become more carer friendly. https://carersuk.pulse.ly/fcftpduxtn

Matt shares his experience of caring for his wife Gill, the challenges it can bring and the difference greater understanding and recognition would make. Thank you to Matt and the @mndassoc.bsky.social for sharing this story. Read the full story here: https://bit.pulse.ly/uizf2tlldm

Carers UK Chief Executive, Helen Walker and unpaid carer Sue were featured on Good Morning Britain at the start of Carers Week today talking about carer friendly communities. Watch it back here from 0:10 here: https://bit.pulse.ly/gidh2sksk3

To mark the start of Carers Week, we brought together charities involved in the campaign to share their thoughts on this year’s theme, Building Carer Friendly Communities. Thank you TSB for being our headline sponsor this year.

Today we publish ‘Building Carer Friendly Communities: a blueprint’, setting out our vision for creating communities where unpaid carers are recognised, valued and supported. Read and share the blueprint today: carersuk.pulse.ly/iphejcurp9

Read our latest research here: lnkd.in/e_HNNuwX Carers Week is made possible through Carers UK working together with six other major charities: @ageuk.bsky.social, @carerstrust.bsky.social, @lewybodysociety.bsky.social, @meassociation.org.uk, @mndassoc.bsky.social, @rethinkcharity.bsky.social

#CarersWeek is here! Join thousands of people taking action to ensure more communities understand, recognise, and empower unpaid carers.  Get involved and together let’s build carer friendly communities across the UK. Thank you @tsbbank.bsky.social for being our headline sponsor this year.

Carers Week launches tomorrow! Join thousands of individuals and organisations taking action to ensure more communities understand, recognise, and empower unpaid carers.  Get involved 👉https://carersweek.pulse.ly/bqg3ylvmi9

Carers Week kicks off on Monday and each day will focus on a different theme that we want to shine a light on. Tune in every day for updates related to each theme and how you can participate in Carers Week! Learn more 👉 https://carersweek.pulse.ly/40sd5wbew5