This week marks Carers Week 2026, an annual UK-wide campaign dedicated to raising awareness of caring, recognising the incredible contribution unpaid carers make, and highlighting the challenges many face every day.
This year’s theme, “Building Carer Friendly Communities”, focuses on the difference communities can make in recognising, supporting and empowering carers. It shines a spotlight on the importance of creating places where carers feel understood, valued and able to access the support they need.
Many people do not even recognise themselves as carers.
A carer may be someone supporting a parent, partner, child, friend or neighbour who could not manage without help due to illness, disability, mental health challenges, addiction or older age. Caring can involve anything from emotional support and attending appointments, to helping with shopping, finances or personal care.
Carers come in all forms and often balance caring responsibilities alongside work, family life and other commitments. While their contribution is vital to families and communities, many carers provide support quietly and without recognition.
That’s why Carers Week is so important. It encourages people to recognise the role carers play and helps those with caring responsibilities identify themselves as carers and access support.
If you are an unpaid carer, or know someone who may be, support is available through the Carers of West Lothian (CoWL) service.
CoWL offers a range of support tailored to carers, helping people navigate their caring role in a way that works for them.
To find out more about the support available, visit the CoWL website: www.cowl.org.uk
Throughout Carers Week, organisations across the country will be highlighting the experiences of unpaid carers and taking action to build stronger, more carer-friendly communities — because carers should never feel alone in the support they provide.
