At a Glance
- Carers First is encouraging donations to help unpaid carers access vital support.
- Many people do not recognise themselves as carers, despite providing daily care for loved ones.
- Support includes information, advice, emotional support, peer groups and wellbeing activities.
- Cynthia shares how Carers First has helped reduce her stress and connect her with other carers.
- Support is available across Essex, Southend-on-Sea, Medway, Lincolnshire and several London boroughs.
This summer, Carers First are asking for supporters to help ensure unpaid carers can access the support they need when they need it most.
Every day, thousands of people provide unpaid care for someone who relies on them. They may be caring for a child, parent, partner, relative, friend or neighbour. They help with medication, attend appointments, provide personal care, offer emotional support, manage household tasks and help others navigate daily life.
Many people don’t even recognise themselves as carers. They simply see it as helping someone who needs support.
While caring can be rewarding, it can also be challenging, exhausting and isolating. Too often, carers put their own wellbeing last as they focus on the needs of others.
That’s why carers need support too.
Carers First help people like Cynthia (pictured above with her son Denzel). After being referred to Carers First following her son’s autism diagnosis, Cynthia discovered a welcoming community of carers. Seven years on, she still attends the support groups each week, where she enjoys friendship, shared experiences and practical advice from their Carer Support Advisers.
“It’s nice to sit down, have a cup of tea and talk. It’s very beneficial and takes away some stress. I go there for advice and always get answers. It’s good to speak to other carers and know that you are not alone.”
She’s even made friends by attending the groups.
“We understand each other. There’s no judgement, we just get on and laugh together. [Since going to the groups] I can look around and see that I’m doing a lot better.”
During Carers Week, communities across the country came together to recognise and celebrate unpaid carers. This year’s theme, Building Carer Friendly Communities, highlighted the importance of creating places where carers feel understood, valued and able to access support.
Carers First, were proud to bring carers together through events and activities across their communities. Carers connected with others who understood their experiences, accessed information and support, and took valuable time for themselves.
The conversations shared, friendships formed and confidence gained showed the difference that support can make.
But carers need support all year round – not just for one week. That’s why Carers First believe that good care is supported care.
When carers have somewhere to turn for information, advice, emotional support and understanding, they are better able to continue caring while looking after their own wellbeing.
Every day, Carers First helps carers feel less alone, more informed and more confident in their caring role. Whether someone has recently become a carer or has been caring for many years, they are here to help them navigate the challenges they face.
Your donation today could help more carers access:
- Information and advice when they need answers
- Emotional support during difficult times
- Peer support and community connections
- Wellbeing activities that help them recharge
- A trusted place to turn when they feel alone
Together, we can help build more carer-friendly communities and ensure carers have access to support throughout the year.
Your donation today could help a carer find vital information and advice, connect with others who understand their experiences, or access support during a difficult time.
Please donate today and help unpaid carers get the support they need.
Every donation makes a difference. Because good care is supported care.
If you’re caring for someone and want to explore the support available to you, visit www.carersfirst.org.uk or call the helpline on 0300 303 1555. Support is available for carers across Medway, Lincolnshire, Essex, Southend-on-Sea, and the London Boroughs of Haringey, Waltham Forest, Croydon and Merton — both in person and online.