The theme for Carers Week 2025 is “Caring about equality”.

All too often, caring for a friend or family member can come at a significant personal cost for the carer.  This could be the financial hardship many carers face as a result of having to give up paid work to care for someone.

Or it could be the challenges many young carers face when it comes to accessing education and employment opportunities. Carers of all ages are at a greater risk of isolation and poor health.

Millions of the UK’s unpaid carers looking after disabled, older or ill relatives and friends feel disadvantaged and are also unable to prioritise their own health needs. Many have also developed new mental and physical health conditions since they started caring.

New research for Carers Week 2025 has found 43% of current or former carers have seen a mental or physical health condition develop or become worse since taking on a caring responsibility for someone. This figure is higher again for current carers at 48%.

The research was released by a coalition of charities including Carers Trust, Carers UK Age UK, MND Association, Oxfam GB, Rethink Mental Illness, The ME Association and The Lewy Body Society.