This year, for the first time, we welcomed photography entries on the theme of ‘This is caring.’
Report from our judge
This was possibly the hardest photography competition I’ve had to judge, in respect that this was not about all the qualities we look for in a professional portrait image, it was all about the content – a penetrating statement of the reality many carers face and such a pleasure to look through.
Photography, as with all art is subjective, so my choice of winners is defined very much by the emotional value the images had on me and what I read into them. That in no way lessens the impact of any of the other entries, and the entire collection contained humour, sadness, devotion and love. It was such a pleasure to view all these wonderful photographs.
A clever narrative within a photograph or portrait, is one that invites the viewer in, to read their own story – the winning image definitely held this open invitation.
“It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson
Photography competition judge, Bella West
Below are our winning and commended images which capture the hidden joys, challenges and day-to-day reality of looking after someone.
Latest updates

Carers Scotland Employment Conference 2025
Carers Scotland recently held their Employment Conference for 2025, focusing on the barriers to employment and employability for unpaid carers.

National Lottery Northern Ireland issues award
The National Lottery Northern Ireland People and Communities fund who have awarded Carers Northern Ireland £384,282 over three years.

Carers UK comments on new figures: Carer's Allowance overpayments in Government's publication of 'Fraud and error in the benefit system' 2024-2025
Last week, Government published its new Fraud and Error statistics which contain new figures on Carer’s Allowance. Analysing this work,…

Employers’ commitment to supporting unpaid carers at work gathers pace
Employers for Carers (EfC), an innovative scheme set up by Carers UK to champion and promote effective workplace support for…
Got a question about caring?
Every day we hear from people who need help with looking after a friend or family member
Become a member for free
Joining Carers UK is free and takes just a few minutes.