Carers Week: 8 to 14 June 2020

Caring is something that will affect each and every one of us in our lifetime, whether we become a carer, or need care ourselves.

Carers Week raises awareness of caring, highlights the challenges that unpaid carers face and recognises the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

The focus for Carers Week 2020 is Making Caring Visible. Caring can be a rich source of satisfaction, but can also have a negative impact on someone's health, career, finances and relationships.

If you are caring for someone, it is important that you also look after yourself. This is particularly important at the moment when some carers are increasing the amount of unpaid care they provide during the coronavirus pandemic.

At the moment, due to the pandemic, carers are under additional stress, have the additional worry of how to keep themselves and the person they care for safe, and face the potential of reduced access to support. During this time, carers need support from friends, family and other online networks. 

Ways to support members of staff and students who are carers

• Supporting staff with caring responsibilities - information for University Staff and managers
• Support to student carers - information for University students who are carers

Sources of information

• University staff Carers advice and guidance (login required)
• Advice for unpaid and young carers in the UK
• York Carers Centre
• Carers Trust - a charity that works to improve support, services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of being an unpaid carer
• Which? Elderly care - independent and practical advice for people who are caring for elderly parents or other relatives
• Hope Support - online support for students with a close family member who has a serious illness