Across the UK, 5.7 million people are carers, supporting a loved one who is older, disabled or seriously ill.
Yet carers are experiencing even greater challenges. Since the coronavirus pandemic, we estimate that 4.5 million more people have taken on caring responsibilities.
We share our insights on caring with local authorities, employers and other organisations, making the most of technology to help solve the problems that carers face.
Better services for carers
Carers rely on good quality services to help manage care alongside everything else.
We work with service providers to help them provide the support carers urgently need.
Better employers for carers
Staying in work is a major challenge for the 3 million working carers – every day, 600 people on average are leaving their jobs to provide unpaid care.
With over 215 members covering 3.5million employees, our Employers for Carers membership forum helps employers improve their understanding of carers and retain the carers in their workforce.
Better technology for carers
By listening to what carers need, we’re using our expertise to develop useful products that can help improve carers’ lives.
Our mobile and online app, Jointly, has been designed to make life a little easier for people who share care. And our MyBackUp tool helps carers develop a contingency plan for greater peace of mind.
Latest updates
Project helping unpaid carers to get active is up and running again after three-year funding boost
New funding from Sport England will support the Carers Active Project, led by Carers UK, working to reduce barriers and…
Carers UK responds to Work & Pensions Select Committee report ‘Pathways to Work’
We are pleased to see the Select Committee’s report stress the negative impact the proposals in the Pathways to Work…
Carers UK responds to the House of Lords debate on the Universal Credit Bill on 22 July 2025
The Universal Credit Bill has now completed all of its stages through Parliament.
Carers UK response to the ADASS annual survey
This latest report reveals that most Directors of social services have seen an increase in unpaid carers approaching them for…
Got a question about caring?
Every day we hear from people who need help with looking after a friend or family member
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