Like many carers  Annie Dransfield from Leeds has faced several problems managing her son’s finances. Annie, a committee member of Carers UK Leeds Branch, cares for her 32 year old son James, who suffers from mental health problems and cerebral palsy.  Annie, who acts as her son’s deputy when it…

Heléna Herlots spent seven years as Head of Policy at Age Concern England and took over as Chief Executive at Carers UK on 1 February 2012.  Heléna has worked with and for older people for over 20 years in a range of service development and provision, policy and strategy roles.…

Amy Cook is a carer to her mum and sister as well a model and an active voice for carers across the UK. Amy helped Carers UK get our message across on the ITV Text Santa appeal about how caring has touched her and her family and what help would…

Every year Carers UK holds a 'National Carers Summit’. It’s a chance for carers to debate issues and question politicians. And it’s not just those in the room who participate. The event is broadcast live on the web via Carers World Radio and our online communities contribute questions for the…

Over 750,000 people in the U.K have dementia and it affects not only the person diagnosed but their families, friends and carers. One of our forum members has been extremely busy campaigning for dementia awareness. Norm lives in Torquay and was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s around four years ago.…

To the carers on our online support forum John Stanbridge was a reassuring presence. Known on the forum as "JohnRJ" he was often the first to welcome new members and was a regular volunteer as a Forum Moderator. Everyone in our online community was shocked and saddened when John died…

Annie Dransfield, committee member of Carers UK Leeds Branch, cares for her 32 year old son James, who suffers from mental health problems and cerebral palsy. James has difficulty managing money and so Annie acts as his deputy when it comes to finances. A customer of Halifax Building Society for…

In most families caring usually falls to one person who becomes the main carer. Carers often say that friends and family don't do enough to help and that can leave a pushed carer feeling angry, furious and let down. Marianne Talbot cared for her mum who had Alzheimer’s disease and…

Guardian journalist Rowenna Davis recently spent a day with care and Carers UK member Rose Fernandes. Rose looks after her daughter Crystal, who is 25, autistic and requires constant care, and her mother who has dementia and lives with them. As well as caring for two people full time, Rose…

Back in January 2008 Sharon Coleman was probably the most famous carer in the UK. Her picture was on the front page of the Financial Times and she appeared on the GMTV sofa. For this carer and single mum from Bermondsey in South London it was a critical stage of…