Carers Week 2025 begins with a focus on the theme Caring About Equality, drawing attention to the challenges faced by millions of unpaid carers across the UK. Organisers, including Carers UK, say unpaid carers are at increased risk of poverty, isolation and poor physical and mental health.
Many also experience disruption to their education, employment and personal lives.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said, “Caring for a loved one should never be a reason for facing inequality, but sadly this is a reality for many in the UK. Unpaid carers are desperate for a break, for better health and social care provision, financial support and equality in the workplace. Over half say they need better understanding and recognition from the public.”
Walker added that Carers Week offers a chance to recognise those providing care to relatives, friends or neighbours, often with limited support and at the expense of their own wellbeing and financial stability.
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Carers UK is calling for a renewed and coordinated approach from the UK Government to tackle the wide range of disadvantages faced by unpaid carers. The organisation wants engagement with carers of all ages, the development of a new National Carers Strategy and sustained investment to ensure meaningful change.
Widespread health impact on carers
Carers UK’s Caring About Equality report, released at the start of Carers Week, outlines the scale of unpaid care across the country. The findings show that 22 percent of people are currently providing unpaid care, and 46 percent have done so at some point. This equates to 11.9 million current carers and 24.9 million with caring experience.
The report identifies serious health impacts for those with caring responsibilities. It found that 43 percent of current or former carers – around 10.7 million people – reported that a mental or physical health condition had developed or worsened after taking on a caring role. Among current carers, the figure rises to 48 percent.
The findings reinforce calls for urgent action to address the mental and physical toll caring can take. Carers UK and other charities involved in Carers Week are urging ministers to commit to long-term cross-Government support to reduce these inequalities. They argue that only a fully funded and strategic approach can address the interrelated challenges faced by unpaid carers.
Workplace support for carers “must improve”
Union Unite has marked Carers Week by calling on employers to do more to support employees with caring responsibilities. With around 5 million workers in the UK combining paid work with unpaid care, Unite is asking organisations to adopt “Carers’ Passports” to formalise workplace adjustments and ensure consistency.
The Carers’ Passport is intended to help employees and managers have open conversations about the flexibility required to support caring roles. The document can move with an employee between roles or departments, preventing the need to renegotiate arrangements when workplace circumstances change. The Carers’ Passport would be be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect any changes in the employee’s caring responsibilities.
Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, said, “Although most of us care for someone at some point in our lives, it is also something that we are not prepared for and can come as a shock. It can be difficult to talk about some of these issues which may not have been raised in the workplace before.
“Unite is calling for employers to adopt the Carers’ Passport and support their staff in being able to be a carer as well as a valued and productive employee.”
Alison Spencer-Scragg, Unite’s national officer for women, added that carers frequently feel overwhelmed trying to manage both roles. She also said that employers must be flexible and that the Carers’ Passport offers a structured and proactive way to support staff while maintaining workplace productivity.
Alessandra Pacelli is a journalist and author contributing to HRreview, where she covers topics including labour market trends, employment costs, and workplace issues.
- Alessandra Pacelli
- Alessandra Pacelli
- Alessandra Pacelli
- Alessandra Pacelli
