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

Carers UK responds to Guardian article reporting that the Government is considering compensation for carers hit by the Carer’s Allowance scandal
Helen Walker, Chief Executive at Carers UK, said:
“This is very good news to hear that the Government is discussing…

Carers UK's response to the 2024 NHS Adult Inpatient survey
Emily Holzhausen CBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs responds to this recent survey.

Carers Rights Day theme announced
Carers UK has launched the theme for this year’s Carers Rights Day on Thursday 20 November 2025 which is ‘Know…

Rising numbers of unpaid carers say they need more support from the NHS
An increasing number of unpaid carers looking after family members or friends who are older, disabled or living with a…
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