Carers Week 2025: Recognising Unpaid Carers and Calling for Equality

9th June 2025

Carers Week is a national moment to recognise the vital contribution of unpaid carers and to push for the change they deserve. This year’s theme, Caring About Equality, highlights the urgent need to address the inequalities unpaid carers face every day.

Carers are propping up stretched health and social care systems, often at great personal cost. Too many carers experience poorer health, social isolation, and financial hardship. They’re more likely to face barriers in education and work, and often go without the support they need.

Championing Diverse Voices

One way we help address inequality is by sharing the real stories of carers in our community. These stories reflect a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and identities, and each one reminds us why representation and understanding matter.

Last October for Black History Month, we shared the story of Louise Ndibwirende, a filmmaker, TEDx speaker and carer, who opened up about caring for her brother as a Black transracial adoptee. Louise explored how identity, culture and mental health intersect, and how connecting with other carers helped her feel seen.

Earlier today, Louise brought her insights to a wider audience with an interview on BBC Radio Bristol, speaking candidly about her experience and the support that helped her cope. We are incredibly proud to see her continue to raise awareness and advocate for carers everywhere.

Listen to her interview on BBC Sounds here (starts at 2:09:37) 

Celebrating Carers Week 2025

We're also marking the start of Carers Week with Caring Matters, our annual free event, taking place today in BAWA Leisure Centre. The day brings carers together with local services, practical workshops and opportunities to share their views on the future of support.

More Stories, More Understanding

In the past year, we’ve published a wide range of carers’ stories, highlighting the quiet strength and resilience shown every day in homes across Bristol and South Glos. These stories help build a fuller picture of what caring really looks like, and why tailored support matters.

• Elsie’s Story: Caring with Pride
• Kaz’s story: Supporting a partner with complex mental health needs
• Neil’s journey from carer to volunteer befriender
• Andy’s story: Caring and neurodiversity
• Dahlia's story: Women’s rights and the unpaid care economy
• Louise's story: Adoptive Black carer and equality advocate
• Carina Andrews: BBC Radio Bristol’s Carer Award winner using art to drive change

Support Carers Week 2025

We’ll keep sharing these stories and working for a society where all carers are recognised, respected and supported. This week is a reminder of how much carers give, and how much more they deserve in return.