Carers Week (9-15 June) is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face, and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
In Gloucestershire there are approximately 52,000 unpaid carers who look after a loved one or friend due to frailty, physical or mental illness, or disability. Carers need to be recognised for the difficulties they are experiencing, respected for all they are doing, provided with information, and given the support they need to care safely.
The theme for Carers Week 2025 is ‘Caring About Equality’; calling for an equal society where carers are truly valued, recognised and supported. Each day of Carers Week will have a specific focus and highlight the different ways inequality impacts carers’ lives:
- Monday: Health and social care
- Tuesday: Financial wellbeing
- Wednesday: Work and employment
- Thursday: Younger carers
- Friday: Older carers
- Saturday: Mental health and wellbeing
- Sunday: Reflections on Carers Week
To find out more visit the Carers Week website: About Carers Week | Carers Week
What’s on this Carers Week
Events for carers and professionals are being held across the county to support Carers Week.
- Monday 9 June: 10am-4pm
Gloucester Carers Hub will be hosting an event at Dowty Sports and Social Club, Down Hatherley Lane, Down Hatherley, Gloucester, GL2 9QH.
There will be stalls hosted by professional teams, speakers throughout the day and many opportunities for professionals and carers to connect with support networks available across the county. - Tuesday 10 June: 9.30am-2pm
Gloucestershire Carers Hub and the Patient Experience Team from Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will be at the Atrium, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, to meet and speak with carers. - Thursday 12 June: 9.30am-2pm
Gloucestershire Health and Care NHSFT and Gloucestershire Carers Hub will be at Stroud General Hospital reception to meet with carers, friends and families. - Thursday 12 June: 10am-12pm
‘About you: Carers’ Voices’ at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, Cheltenham. Meet others with caring responsibilities and help Sue Ryder understand how best to support you. - Friday 13 June: 10am-4pm
Big Health Day: This annual event is being held once again at Plock Court, Gloucester, for people with a physical or learning disability, sensory loss or mental health support needs. Find out more here: Big Health > Glos Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust
Gloucestershire Carers Hub
Throughout Carers Week Gloucestershire Carers Hub will be in various locations around Gloucestershire, speaking to members of the public, carers and other organisations about its services and what it offers. Find out more here: Carers Week 2025 – Gloucestershire Carers Hub
Mental health
According to a Carers UK survey, a high proportion of carers said their mental health has been affected by caring, with 79% of carers feeling stressed or anxious, 49% feeling depressed, and 50% feeling lonely. The survey found that many are continuing to care, despite being at breaking point.
It is important to ensure that as a carer, you manage to take time for yourself and look after both your physical and mental health. The Gloucestershire NHS Talking Therapies service offers support to anyone over the age of 18 in the county who is suffering with common mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, stress and low mood.
Mental health problems can present in many ways and when how you are feeling starts to impact your day-to-day life and general sense of wellbeing, happiness or relationships, it might be the right time to get some help.
To find out more about the Talking Therapies service and to make a self-referral, visit www.letstalkglos.nhs.uk or call 0800 073 2200. You do not need to visit your GP in order to access our support. After referring yourself to the service, you will be invited to an assessment call with a trained clinician who will discuss how you are feeling and the treatment options available to you. Treatments are delivered by trained therapists and can either be provided online, on the phone or in person.
