Supporting Carers Week 9 - 15 June 2025

This week-long initiative, led by Carers UK, also encourages people who may not see themselves as carers to recognise their role and seek the support they may need.

This year’s theme, Caring About Equality, calls for a fairer society where carers are fully acknowledged, respected, and supported in every aspect of life.

How We Support Carers

At Gloucestershire Hospitals, we are committed to supporting carers and making sure their voices are heard. If you're a carer and find yourself needing to visit or stay in hospital, please let a member of staff know. They can guide you to relevant resources and help ensure your caring responsibilities are taken into account.

We offer a number of specific initiatives to support carers in our hospitals:

• John’s Campaign
  We proudly support this national movement, which gives carers the opportunity to stay with their loved ones in hospital, providing comfort and continuity. If this would help you, please speak to the senior nurse on the ward.
  
• Carer’s Passport
  Our Carer’s Passport helps to make hospital visits easier by offering enhanced visiting access, along with practical benefits like access to refreshments while you’re supporting someone in hospital.
  
• Gloucestershire Carers Hub
  We work in close partnership with Gloucestershire Carers Hub to connect carers with additional guidance, emotional support and community resources tailored to their needs.
  
• Carers Charter
  Find out more about our commitment to carers by reading ourCarers Charter here.

Understanding the Role of a Carer

A carer is anyone who looks after someone who couldn’t manage without their help due to physical or mental health needs, disability, addiction or age-related conditions. The impact of caring often extends far beyond physical support and it can also affect emotional wellbeing, relationships, employment and financial stability.

Many carers feel pride in their role, but it’s vital to acknowledge how challenging it can be.

A Week of Focused Awareness

This year during Carers Week,Carers UK will spotlight a different issue affecting carers, showing how inequality can impact their lives:

• Monday: Health and social care
  
• Tuesday: Financial wellbeing
  
• Wednesday: Employment and working carers
  
• Thursday: Young carers
  
• Friday: Older carers
  
• Saturday: Mental health and wellbeing
  
• Sunday: Reflections and looking ahead
  

Carers Week is a moment to listen, understand, and act. Across the UK, events and online activities will bring carers together, raise awareness and help more people access the resources available to them.

A Time to Recognise and Connect

Carers Week not only raises awareness of the vital roles unpaid carers play in our communities, but also highlights the importance of the support systems available to them locally, such as the Gloucestershire Carers Hub. It’s an opportunity for everyone to better understand the lives of carers and to help create a more inclusive, compassionate society where no carer feels alone.

Let’s take this week to show our appreciation, offer support and help ensure that all carers feel valued - not just this week, but every week of the year.