To mark the start of Carers Week 2026, Carers UK and Carers Week supporter charities have today published new research about carer friendly communities. Carer friendly communities are places, spaces, services and community groups where unpaid carers are recognised, understood, and valued. 

Our research, based on polling of over 4,000 members of the public, found that, concerningly, nearly half (44%) of people currently caring do not feel their role as an unpaid carer is understood or valued by their community. Some organisations and services are seen as more carer friendly than others. Whilst 67% of current and former carers using a pharmacy said it was carer friendly, over a fifth (21%) of current and former carers who had used public transport said it was not carer friendly.  

When communities are not carer friendly, this can have a significant impact. 36% of current and former carers who felt that organisations or services were not carer friendly said this had impacted their physical or mental health, and 35% said it made it more difficult to look after the person they care for.

It is clear that carers need more recognition within their communities. Carers UK and Carers Week supporter charities would like to see coordinated cross-Government action in support of unpaid carers, including a new Action Plan for carers, followed by a fully funded Carers Strategy.

Download our Building Carer Friendly Communities report.