Unpaid carers feel their role goes unrecognised in their community says Carers UK
- 31% of people who are currently caring in NI say they do not feel their role as an unpaid carer is understood and valued by their community.
- While over a fifth (22%) of current and former carers said they had been unable to take part in local groups or activities.
- Huge drive to help build carer friendly communities launched for Carers Week 2026.
The above findings mark the start of Carers Week which takes place from 8-14 June. The theme of this year’s Carers Week, backed by headline sponsor TSB Bank, is ‘Building Carer Friendly Communities.
A significant number of people looking after a family member or friend do not feel that their role as an unpaid carer is understood or valued by their community.
New research for Carers Week 2026 has found that close to a third of people (31%) who are currently caring believe their role is overlooked.
An Opinium poll of over 4,000 members of the public across the UK found that carers often find it difficult to participate in their communities.
Over a fifth (22%) of current and former carers in Northern Ireland said they had been unable to take part in local groups or activities while caring and a quarter (24%) said they had been unable to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Every day in the UK,12,000 people take on unpaid caring responsibilities. Without the right support, this can affect their ability to look after their own health and wellbeing, as well as household finances, employment, education and social opportunities.
UK wide 36% of current and former carers who felt that organisations or services were not carer-friendly said this had a negative impact on their physical or mental health and 35% said it made it more difficult to look after the person they care for. Others said it had resulted in additional costs or lost income and feelings of loneliness.
A carer-friendly community is a place, space or organisation that values carers and does something practical to support them by identifying carers, listening and responding to their experiences so that they are not left to cope alone.
Results from the new research for Carers Week found some organisations and services are seen as more carer friendly than others.
Whilst 66% of current and former carers in Northern Ireland using a pharmacy said it was carer friendly, a fifth (20%) of current and former carers who had used public transport said it was not carer friendly.
Across the UK, 41% of current and former carers who felt that places were not carer friendly said this was because they didn’t have a good understanding of what caring is, and 37% said this was because they hadn’t considered the impact caring might have on them.
Carers UK and charity supporters Age UK, Carers Trust, MND Association, Rethink Mental Illness, The ME Association and The Lewy Body Society are inviting communities to share good practice, and for all of us to help raise awareness of the importance of carer friendly communities.
Members of the public and leaders in society can show their support by adding their name to a digital wall on the Carers Week website. Carers UK and charity supporters will also launch a blueprint providing inspiration, direction and suggestions for building a carer friendly community where you live.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “Our findings reinforce the importance of Carers Week in shining a spotlight on unpaid care and driving greater awareness, recognition and support.
“When unpaid carers are left without the support they need, there are real consequences for their health, wellbeing, finances and ability to stay connected to everyday life.
“Unpaid carers are a crucial part of community life, and organisations and services must do much more to identify them and stand alongside them.
“Across the UK there are many positive examples of carer-friendly organisations making a real difference. Whether you’re a hospital, GP practice or pharmacy, place of work, faith community or local business – there’s something everyone can do to make communities more carer friendly.”
Ariam Enraght-Moony, Chief People Officer, TSB, said: “The millions of unpaid carers who provide a vital lifeline to family, and friends deserve support and recognition at work for their role within our communities.
