This week from the 8th to the 14th June marks Carers Week, a national campaign originally organised by Carers UK, in 2001 but now led by Carers Week as an annual awareness movement, continuing to highlight the contribution, challenges and recognition of unpaid carers. A carer is defined as someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, or who needs extra help as they grow older.
For many parent carers, however, this definition doesn’t always resonate. They don’t necessarily see themselves as carers, they see themselves as “just parents”. They are mum or dad, doing what any parent would do for their child. Many are focused on meeting the immediate needs of their child and family, leaving little time to reflect on the extent of the role they undertake every day.
But the reality is often very different. Alongside parenting, parent carers are managing medication, attending medical and therapy appointments, advocating across education, health and social care services, and providing ongoing emotional and physical support. For many families, these responsibilities continue well into adulthood and can be lifelong.
Despite all this, many parent carers do not identify with the label of “carer”, particularly in the early stages of their journey when they may still be coming to terms with a diagnosis or living in uncertainty without one. This lack of recognition can make it harder for them to seek or access support, even when it is needed and available to them.
This year’s Carers Week theme, “Building Carer Friendly Communities”, highlights the importance of creating spaces where unpaid carers are recognised, understood and valued. For Parentsactive, a key part of that is helping parent carers to recognise themselves in that role. When that recognition happens, it can be incredibly powerful, opening the door to connection, support and a sense of not having to navigate things alone.
Building carer friendly communities also means recognising that parent carers are not defined only by their caring responsibilities. Parent carers are full and active members of their communities they are employees, business owners, volunteers, professionals, friends and neighbours. Many balances caring alongside work, running households, contributing to local communities and supporting wider family networks. Which is so important to consider when creating carer friendly communities, ensuring services work for parent carers by being flexible, accessible and understanding.
There are wonderful organisations supporting all carers such as Carers UK themselves. However, parent carer forums play such an important role for parents specifically. Forums create spaces where parents can connect with others who truly understand the realities of caring for a child with additional needs. Through shared experiences, many parents begin to realise that what they do extends beyond parenting alone. Just as importantly, forums also provide a platform for parent carers to have their voices heard through co-production with local health, education and social care services ensuring they are shaped and informed by those who use them. Parentsactive being parent led, have been proud to work alongside our Steering group and members to ensure their voices are reflected in meaningful change across services.
Alongside this, forums also offer something simple but essential: a safe and supportive space. Whether that’s through coffee mornings or online WhatsApp groups, these opportunities allow parent carers to talk openly, share experiences and seek understanding without judgement. In the midst of busy and demanding lives, having a space where you feel heard and understood can make a significant difference. Data from Carers Week report suggests that ‘23% of carers have been unable to take part in local groups or activities while caring’ this is out of an estimated 5.7 million people. So being able to reach families through WhatsApp peer groups is one way making support accessible.
Similarly, one of the biggest challenges parent carers face is finding time for their own wellbeing. With so many responsibilities, it can be difficult to prioritise even basic needs such as attending routine health appointments or taking time to rest and reset. Yet wellbeing is not a luxury, it is essential to making sure parent carers can continue their caring responsibilities. Small, accessible opportunities to connect with others and take a moment for yourself can have a meaningful impact.
That’s why initiatives like our Walk and Talk sessions are so important. They offer a gentle, informal way for parent carers to step outside, connect with others, and take some time for their own mental and physical wellbeing.
Although not Carers Week, we’d love you to join us for our next Walk and Talk on Monday 15 June at 9:30am, meeting at Ravenscourt Park (meeting Paddenswick Tea Gardens). This is one of the ways we aim to help parent carers connect, reduce isolation and support wellbeing. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve joined us before, you are very welcome.
Carers Week is an important reminder that parent carers are so much more than “just parents”. They are advocates, organisers, caregivers and experts in their child’s needs, and need communities that help them feel valued and not alone. For the full Carers Week report visit:
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