Caring About Equality – marking Carers Week 2025
Wednesday, 11 June 2025
We're proud to support Carers Week 2025 (9 to 15 June), joining the national campaign to raise awareness of unpaid carers and the vital contribution they make.
This year’s theme, “Caring About Equality”, places a spotlight on the inequalities faced by carers and the urgent need to create a more inclusive society. With 5.8 million carers across the UK, including an estimated 25,000 in Central Bedfordshire, this week recognises the challenges carers face and celebrates their selfless dedication. It’s estimated that unpaid carers save the UK economy £184 billion each year.
Carers often support loved ones who are older, disabled, or living with a long-term illness, frequently at great personal cost. Many give up or reduce work, miss out on education, or put aside personal development to fulfil their caring responsibilities.
Our Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Mark Smith, said:
We want to support our carers and highlight how important they are and the valuable role they play within our communities.
We also want to recognise our younger carers who look after a disabled or sick parent or sibling. Being a carer is not an easy task even for an adult, so the commitment our young carers show is really inspiring to us all.
Throughout Carers Week, we'll be working with a range of partner organisations including Carers in Bedfordshire, Mobilise, the NHS, and other local charities and groups. Together, we will host events and provide essential information and advice for carers on health and social care, financial wellbeing, employment, housing, and more.
This week also offers a chance for individuals who may not see themselves as carers to recognise the important role they play and explore the support available to them. Whether they are caring for a parent, partner, child, friend, or neighbour.
Find out more about what support there is for carers in Bedfordshire, including young carers aged 4 to 17.