Being Heard is our self-advocacy guide for carers
Self-advocacy is about speaking up for yourself. It’s about getting your voice heard and effectively communicating your own interests. Our guide has been designed to help you communicate your needs with professionals, understand your rights and look after your wellbeing.
Caring can be rewarding but also very isolating. You may not know what help to ask for, how to ask, or indeed who to ask.
Being Heard can help you get your voice heard when you care for someone. Self advocacy is also about being able to have your own needs listened to, as well as speaking up for the person you care for.
Updated in November 2022, the guides are packed with new information on carers’ rights, as well as how to speak up and look after your wellbeing. For useful accompanying resources, such as a complaints letter template, see the links below.
Main guide
Click the relevant link below to download the Being Heard guide:
You can order printed copies from our online shop.
Other useful resources
The guide also features extra resources to download:
- Complaints letter template
- Mindfulness
- Reflecting on events
- Watch our animated film about self-advocacy
Watch the following video about self-advocacy:
Latest updates

Carers UK responds to latest ONS data on unpaid care and employment
Carers UK responds to 2021 Census data on unpaid care and employment in England and Wales.

Carers UK responds to the Family Resource Survey
Today, the Family Resources Survey was published with new insights and data on unpaid care, helping us to better understand…

Majority of unpaid carers worry about whether their loved ones are getting good nutrition and hydration
Carers UK is releasing research which uncovers a lack of confidence in how to address malnutrition and under-nutrition amongst unpaid…

Carers UK responds to the Chancellor’s Spring Budget
Today’s Spring Budget was unveiled by The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP. Carers UK is disappointed…
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.