We’re here to make life better for the 5.8 million carers across the UK.
Who is a carer?
A carer is a person of any age who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who is disabled, has an illness or long-term condition, or who needs extra help as they grow older.
Why caring matters
Carers are holding families together, enabling those they care for to get the most out of life, making an enormous contribution to society and saving the economy billions of pounds.
Yet many are stretched to the limit – juggling care with work and family life, struggling to make ends meet and often battling with poor health themselves.

You don’t have to care alone
Looking after someone can be a rewarding experience. It can also be tough, lonely and bewildering. But you’re not on your own. Carers UK is here to listen, to give you expert information and guidance, to champion your rights and support you in finding new ways to manage at home, at work, or wherever you are.
Latest updates

New interactive dashboard launched to improve understanding and access to data on unpaid care
The dashboard will allow viewers to analyse ONS Census data about unpaid carers at a local authority level. It has…

"The Most Valuable Portrait" - A celebration of unpaid carers
As part of our partnership with Specsavers Home Visits, we are delighted to reveal “The Most Valuable Portrait.”

Carers Scotland Employment Conference 2025
Carers Scotland recently held their Employment Conference for 2025, focusing on the barriers to employment and employability for unpaid carers.

National Lottery Northern Ireland issues award
The National Lottery Northern Ireland People and Communities fund who have awarded Carers Northern Ireland £384,282 over three years.
Got a question about caring?
Every day we hear from people who need help with looking after a friend or family member
Become a member for free
Joining Carers UK is free and takes just a few minutes.