As Carers Week 2026 begins, we are shining a spotlight on the vital role unpaid carers play across our communities and the importance of creating places where carers are recognised, supported and able to live fulfilling lives alongside their caring responsibilities.
Most of us will be a carer at some point in our lives. Whether it is looking after a parent, supporting a neighbour, helping a friend through illness, or caring for a child with additional needs, caring touches families and communities everywhere.
Many people do not identify themselves as carers. They may simply see themselves as a daughter looking after her mum, a friend offering support, or a neighbour lending a helping hand. Yet recognising yourself as a carer is often the first step towards accessing information, support and services that can make a real difference.
This year's Carers Week theme, Building Carer-Friendly Communities, highlights the power of communities that understand and value carers. Carer-friendly communities help people balance their caring role with their own health, wellbeing, work, education and social lives.
99,278 people in Derby and Derbyshire identify themselves as carers (2021 ONS data) with 75% living with the person they care for. The true number of carers across Derby and Derbyshire is likely to be significantly higher with many not recognising their caring role. Caring can be intensive, with 1 in 8 carers providing 50+ hours of care each week, and numbers are expected to rise, with an 11% increase in carers providing 10+ hours of care per week by 2035. Around 26% of unpaid carers support more than one person, and over 56,800 people combine caring with paid work. It is also expected that 3 in 5 people will become a carer in their lifetime.
Carers come from all backgrounds, with 44% aged over 50 and 29% living with a disability themselves. Caring also has a wider impact, with 60% worried about their financial situation, 58% having reduced opportunity for hobbies or leisure activities, and many reporting challenges linked to balancing caring, health and financial wellbeing.
Joined Up Care Derbyshire’s priorities for supporting carers in Derby focus on helping carers to be recognised, supported and able to live well alongside their caring responsibilities.
Councillor Alison Martin, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Care, said:
Carers are the backbone of our communities, providing vital support to family members, friends and neighbours every day. During Carers Week, we want to recognise their incredible contribution and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring they are supported, valued and able to look after their own health and wellbeing alongside their caring role.
Caring is not always undertaken by one individual. Many families share caring responsibilities, and in some situations people are caring for each other. Recognising the diverse nature of caring is essential to ensuring everyone receives the support they need.
To mark Carers Week, carers, professionals and members of the public are invited to attend the Derby City Carers Week Information Event at Derby Market Hall on Tuesday 9 June, from 11.00am to 3.00pm. The event will provide information, advice and opportunities to connect with local organisations and support services.
For more information about support for carers, visit the Derby Carers Information website.