www.carersuk.org

Carers UK is the voice of carers.

Six million people provide unpaid care by looking after ill, frail or disabled family members, friends or partners. Carers give so much to society yet experience ill health, poverty and discrimination.

• One in three people providing round the clock care struggle to pay basic food and utility bills, often affecting their own health and that of the person they care for.
• One in five people gives up work to care, often with associated loss of income, loss of pension and loss of financial security.
• 625,000 carers in the UK suffer mental and physical ill health as a direct consequence of the stress and physical demands of caring.

Carers UK was set up by carers to end these injustices. Our vision is for people to recognise the true value of a carer’s contribution to society and for carers to get the practical, financial and emotional support they need.

These issues are not set to go away. The future is one in which demographic trends – an ageing population and changes in family structures – will see three out of five people caring at exactly the same time as the economy will need more of us to work longer.

How Carers UK works

To improve carers’ lives Carers UK

• transforms the understanding of caring so that carers are free from discrimination and are valued by society
• mobilises carers, decision-makers and the public to bring about the changes that make a real difference to carers’ lives
• informs carers of their rights, what help is available and how to challenge injustice so they can lead fulfilled lives

Carers UK is carer-led which means carers are at the heart of the organisation – as members, involved in all our activities and directing what we do.

Our work

Our activities include

Research

Carers UK commissions and publishes research to build up an evidence base on how caring impacts on people’s lives. Recent reports focus on carers’ human rights and supporting working carers.

Information provision

Carers UK provides carers with up to date information and advice through our helpline, CarersLine (0808 808 7777 Wed and Thu 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm), our website www.carersuk.org nd our range of booklets which cover benefits, practical help and carers’ rights

Campaigning

• Carers UK campaigns to secure full implementation of the legislated and policy rights of carers in the areas of employment law, benefits and health and social care
• We identify and change those aspects of public policy that still do not adequately meet the needs of carers
• We promote the changes that make a real difference to carers’ lives
• We seek to build a collaborative network with all the organisations that have a role to play in improving the circumstances and recognition of carers

Training

Carers UK is the leading provider of training for professionals working with carers with courses such as NHS Continuing Care and Mental Capacity. Our trainers are all leading experts in their fields.

Membership

As a membership organisation Carers UK gives carers a voice and a sense of not feeling alone. Individual members receive our quarterly magazine, Caring as well as free information booklets and advice.

Carers UK also offers membership to professionals and organisations who support carers. Affiliated members receive free policy briefings, campaign updates and examples of best practice. Over 500 affiliated organisations put us in touch with over 300,000 carers. For details of professional membership contact membership@carersuk.org or call 020 7566 7602 or visit our website www.carersuk.org.

Carers UK
20-25 Glasshouse Yard
London
EC1A 4JT

CarersLine 0808 808 7777
General 020 7490 8818
Fax 020 7490 8824
info@carersuk.org
www.carersuk.org

 

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