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County Council marks Carers Week 2026 to celebrate county’s unpaid carers

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Gloucestershire County Council is shining a spotlight on the vital role of unpaid carers as part of Carers Week 2026 (8-14 June), encouraging more people to recognise themselves as carers and access the support available.

This year’s theme, Building Carer Friendly Communities, highlights the importance of creating places where carers are recognised, valued and supported in everyday life.

A carer is anyone who provides unpaid support to a family member, friend or neighbour who could not manage without help due to illness, disability, mental health needs or addiction. Many people do not realise they are carers, often seeing themselves simply as a partner, parent, relative or friend.

According to the 2021 Census, in Gloucestershire, there are around 52,000 unpaid carers – around one in twelve residents – making a huge contribution to families, communities and local services.

To support carers across the county, Gloucestershire County Council commissions the Gloucestershire Carers Hub, in partnership with NHS Gloucestershire. The free service provides advice, information, wellbeing support, training, and peer connections.

A key part of the offer is supporting the carers to think about contingency planning, which helps carers plan for unexpected situations. This may include the Carers Emergency Scheme which can provide reassurance that, if something happens and a carer cannot provide care, arrangements will be put in place. This may include temporary professional support for up to 48 hours where needed.

Throughout Carers Week, a range of events will be taking place across Gloucestershire, based on carer feedback, including relaxed outdoor gatherings called Carers Cuppa and Cake in the Community. These informal picnics give carers the opportunity to take a break, meet others in similar situations and feel more connected.

Cllr Dr Kate Usmar, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Delivery, said: “Unpaid carers play an invaluable role in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, often without recognition.

“Carers Week is a chance to say thank you, but also to remind people that support is available. If you are helping someone day-to-day, even in small ways, you may well be a carer – and we would encourage you to come forward and get the help you deserve.

“Through our Carers Hub, we want carers to feel supported, connected and confident that they are not facing things alone.”

More information about local events and support is available on the Gloucestershire Carers Hub website. For more details, visit https://gloucestershirecarershub.co.uk/news/carers-week-2026/.