This Carers' Week, You are not alone

Carers Week (9 – 15 June 2025) is a time to shine a light on the incredible, often unseen work of unpaid carers and this year, The Carers’ Centre is sending out a clear message to carers across Bath and North East Somerset: We see you, we value you, and we’re here to support you.

As a small local charity making significant impact, The Carers’ Centre already supports nearly 6,000 adult carers and almost 1,000 young carers. But the need is far greater — estimates suggest there are at least 20,000 unpaid carers in the region, quietly doing extraordinary work every day. Many don’t realise they’re carers, or know help is available. That’s why this week, the message needs to be loud and clear.

“Around one in three of us will care for a loved one at some point,” says Jacqui Orchard, Chief Executive of The Carers’ Centre. “If you're helping a parent, partner, child, or friend who needs help due to illness, frailty, disability, mental health problems or addiction, you’re a carer —and you deserve support. Whether it’s personal care, emotional support or help with daily activities that they’re giving, we want people to know we’re here, and we’re ready to help.”

‘Unpaid carer’ is a term not yet widely understood; looking after a loved one can lead to enormous challenges, including emotional strain, social isolation and extreme financial hardship.

The Carers’ Centre’s offers free, practical and emotional support including:

A friendly, confidential support line

Guidance on accessing financial and local support

Wellbeing activities and peer groups for connection and self-care

Support for carers of all ages, from children as young as five, who might be looking after a parent or guardian, to the very elderly.

Most importantly, it offers unpaid carers the security of knowing there is somewhere to go when they need help. Carers like Claire, a mum caring for her two children, one of whom has additional needs.

‘Dealing with my children’s mental health needs can be isolating,’ says Claire. ‘The Carer’s Centre offers me time for myself where I can talk to other parents living with the same problems. It makes such a difference.’

No matter where you are on your caring journey—whether you’ve just started or have been caring for years, you don’t have to do it alone. Anyone who is caring for another person, or knows of someone they think needs support, can call The Carer’s Centre helpline on 0800 0388 885, Monday to Friday, 9am – 1pm, email support@banescarerscentre.org.uk or register via the forms on this website.