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

Carers UK responds to DWP announcement of aim to tackle all Carer’s Allowance overpayment alerts
Carers UK responds to Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) announcement that it will aim to tackle all Carer's Allowance…

Carer Poverty Coalition responds to Government's welfare reform Green Paper
It's extremely worrying that some measures within the Green Paper on Welfare Reform changing disability and health benefits will actively…

Carers UK celebrates Investing in Volunteers award
Carers UK is delighted to have achieved the UK-wide quality mark for organisations involving volunteers during the charity’s 60th anniversary…

New rise in Carer Support Payment in Scotland earnings limit will increase financial security for carers on a low income
Carers Scotland press release on the increase in earnings threshold for Carer Support Payment in 2025.
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.