Creating Carer Friendly Communities – This Carers Week and Beyond 

As we mark Carers Week 2025, Forward Carers is celebrating the incredible unpaid Carers who support loved ones every day – and the communities stepping up to support them in return. 

This year’s Carers Week theme, “Putting Carers on the Map,” is a powerful reminder of how vital it is to recognise and support those who care – and that starts with our local communities. Carers are everywhere: they are our neighbours, our colleagues, our friends and our family members. Yet many go unrecognised and unsupported, simply because the people and places around them aren’t aware of the role they play. 

At Forward Carers, we believe that every Carer deserves to be seen, valued and supported – not just by services, but by the community around them. That’s why our Carer Friendly Communities work is so vital. 

🌍 What is a Carer Friendly Community? 

A Carer Friendly Community is one where unpaid Carers are recognised, respected and supported in everyday life – whether they’re visiting a GP, attending school, going to work, or popping into a local shop. 

Through our Carer Friendly Communities programme, Forward Carers works with: 

• Businesses and employers to become Carer Friendly Employers 

• Health and care professionals to spot and support Carers early 

• Community groups and local services to improve accessibility and understanding 

• Schools and colleges to support young and young adult Carers 

By building awareness and making small, meaningful changes, we help local organisations create inclusive environments where Carers feel seen and supported – without having to ask. 

🏆 Recognising Carer Friendly Champions 

Part of our mission is to celebrate and showcase the organisations that are making a real difference to Carers. From GP surgeries with dedicated Carer leads, to high street businesses offering flexible appointments or quiet spaces, we’ve seen incredible examples of inclusive practice in action. 

Our Carer Friendly ID Card Scheme and Carer Aware Training also help professionals to understand what it means to be Carer aware – and how they can help Carers access the right support at the right time. 

If your organisation would like to become more Carer Friendly, we’d love to support you. It’s free, flexible, and could make all the difference to someone who is caring in silence. 

💙 Carers Week: Let’s Put Carers on the Map – Together 

This Carers Week, we’re not just celebrating Carers – we’re calling on everyone in the community to take action. 

Whether you’re a school, shop, faith group, local employer or health provider, you can help create a more inclusive, compassionate community by becoming Carer Friendly. 

Together, we can ensure that Carers feel supported in every space they walk into – not just during Carers Week, but every week of the year. 

🔗 Find out more and get involved in our Carer Friendly Communities initiative at www.forwardcarers.org.uk