The theme for this years carers week is:
"Building a Carer Friendly Community"

Carers UK is the lead organisation involved in Carers Week and they host an annual campaign which you can find out more about, and how you or your organisation can become involved here.

You can find out about activities planned in your area, in support of the week of action, by clicking the link here.

"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"

These include the workplace, local communities, faith communities, GP practices, hospitals, local NHS neighbourhoods, pharmacies, schools, colleges and universities, businesses or online communities supporting unpaid carers.

Carers Week 2026 will shine a light on what works well at present and what must change so that unpaid carers get better recognition.

An unpaid carer, also known as an informal carer, is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction, or who needs extra help as they grow older.  It isn’t someone who volunteers or is employed to provide support.

A carer may support or care for someone in many different ways which might include:​

• helping someone with their personal care
• meal preparation
• dealing with bills and financial matters
• managing day to day appointments such as GP & hospital appointments
• collecting prescriptions
• administering or prompting medication
• cleaning, laundry or shopping tasks
• emotional support and reassurance
• making sure someone is safe
  
  You can find local support in the area you live by following the link to the Carers UK website here.

If you live in Barrow-in-Furness or the Furness Peninsula, Carer Support Furness provide free and confidential information and support to carers of all ages on all issues related to the caring role.

The Carer Support Furness website is currently undergoing maintenance but you can contact them in one of the following ways:  

Telephone: 01229 822822  Email: admin@carersupportfurness.co.uk

Carer Support Furness upcoming events:

Saturday 6th June:

• Carers respite trip to Liverpool

Tuesday 9^th June:

• Health & Wellbeing Information Event at Booths, Ulverston with the UHMBT Mid Furness ICC, Social Prescribers and LSCFT HARRI bus
• ‘Thrive at Work’ project launch at The Bridge, Portland Walk, Barrow. This is a new collaborative Work & Health support project working in partnership with MIND, St Marys Hospice & Citizens Advice

Wednesday 10^th June:

• Carer Champion Training at St Marys Hospice
• Young Carers Afterschool Club and Carers Week Celebration, from age 5
• Adult Carers Yoga, Mindfulness & Carers Week Café to follow with Tea & Cakes

Thursday 11^th June:

• Young Carers Afterschool Club Carers Week Celebration, from - age 11

Friday 12^th June:

• Health & Wellbeing Information Event at Carer Support Furness, Carers Centre, Hindpool Community Centre, Barrow along with over 20 local partner organisations and Carers Café with Free Tea, coffee and pie and peas (until they run out) for those who come along

If you live in Cumberland and you are under 18 and you care for someone, maybe a parent, or if you are a parent and you provide care for someone under 18 with specific needs, you can access support from Family Action: 

Telephone: 01228 474171
Email: youngcarerscumberland@family-action.org.uk or:
parentcarerscumberland@family-action.org.uk Family Action Website

Family Action upcoming events:

Join Family Action for their Carers Week drop-in events this June:

• Westfield Family Hub, Workington, on Tuesday 9 June 2026 from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
• Longtown Family Hub, Carlisle, on Thursday 11 June 2026 from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Family Action look forward to welcoming young carers and parent carers for an informal opportunity to connect, find out more about support available, and meet members of the team.

If you live in the South Lakes area, Carers Support South Lakes offer carers of all ages a quality service of information, support and advocacy.

The Carer Support South Lakes website is undergoing maintenance but you can contact them as follows:  

Telephone: 01539 815970 Email:  admin@cssl.org.uk To make a referral click here

Cumberland Carers - People First offer a free, friendly and kind support for unpaid adult carers in Cumberland, you can contact them as follows:

People First Cumberland Carers Website, Telephone: 0300 303 8037
Email: hub@wearepeoplefirst.co.uk. To make a referral click here

N|Compass provide expert information, guidance, and a wide range of personalised support to help make life a little easier.  If you are a young carer or adult carer and you live in Westmorland & Furness you can contact them as follows:

N|Compass Westmorland & Furness Carers Website Telephone: 01539 457525
Email: enquiries@wfcarers.org.uk  To make a referral click here

CSAB launched a webinar in 2025 based on information which was originally put together by Cumbria & Pan Lancashire Safeguarding Adult Boards.

The webinar was made in response to learning from Safeguarding Adult Review’s, to help raise awareness of how carers can be best supported and to highlight the challenges they face.
 
You can watch the webinar by following the link to the CSAB website here.

Carers can access a wide range of support including practical help, financial assistance, mental health resources, respite services, and local peer networks.

Carers can find local support services through organisations like Carers UK and Carers Trust, which offer directories to locate nearby carer groups, replacement care services, and community resources tailored to individual needs.

Age UK provides practical support for older carers, including home help, handyperson services, and respite care, allowing carers to take breaks, while ensuring their loved ones are cared for. 

The CSAB website provides information for carers and details of local carer support organisations across Cumbria.