As Carers Week gets underway, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, is encouraging everyone to play their part in building carer friendly communities where unpaid carers are recognised, supported and valued.

In a video message marking the start of Carers Week, Helen highlights why the annual awareness week is such an important opportunity to raise the profile of caring and shine a spotlight on the millions of unpaid carers who support family members, friends and neighbours every day.

"Carers Week is such an important moment in the year because it enables us to talk about caring in lots of different places, to raise the profile of unpaid carers, to show the huge amount of work that they're doing, and to campaign on their behalf." says Helen.

This year's Carers Week theme, Building Carer Friendly Communities, reflects the need for greater understanding and support for carers wherever they live, work and access services. Helen explains that carer friendly communities can take many forms, from workplaces and local neighbourhoods to healthcare settings and public services.

As a charity that has campaigned for unpaid carers for more than 60 years, Carers UK is continuing to work for better recognition, rights and support for carers across the UK. Carers Week provides an opportunity to amplify carers' voices and bring communities together through events, activities and conversations.

Helen is encouraging everyone to get involved during Carers Week, whether that's attending a local event, supporting a workplace carers network, or simply checking in on someone they know who may be caring for a loved one.

Above all, Helen hopes Carers Week will spark more conversations about caring and help create communities where carers feel seen, supported and included.

Find out more on the Carers Week website - carersweek.org

Watch Helen's full Carers Week message above.

We're asking everyone to help build carer friendly communities because it's really important that on the ground everybody recognises and supports carers."

- Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK