- Theme is ‘Equality: today and tomorrow.’
- Campaigns and events to mark the anniversary to be held through the year.
Charity Carers UK is reflecting on 60 years of change in campaigning with and for unpaid carers across the UK looking after an older, disabled or chronically ill friend or family member.
The charity’s history stretches back to 1965, when Reverend Mary Webster founded the first ever national unpaid carers organisation to raise the plight of women who were ignored and invisible, whilst caring for their older relatives.
Today, Carers UK campaigns with thousands of carers who have lent their voices to help to lead and shape the charity’s direction to make life better for the 5.8 million unpaid carers in the UK.
Over the last 60 years, campaigns by Carers UK have seen crucial new rights introduced; from the first ever benefit to support unpaid carers, Invalid Care Allowance in 1976 (later renamed Carer’s Allowance), to the Carer’s Leave Act in 2024. Our focus now is on the needs of unpaid carers today – and what we need to do to create greater equality, support and further recognition in the future.
Research has shown that despite these hard-won rights, support still falls far short of what carers need to have an equal place in society. 600 people a day have to give up work to care.i Carers are much more likely to be in poor health as a result of caring, and many experience loneliness and isolation.ii 1.2 million unpaid carers are currently living in poverty.iii
This is why for Carers UK’s 60th anniversary, the theme is ‘Equality: today and tomorrow’. Although there have been advances for carers during this time, there is still much to do to ensure unpaid carers have equality in all walks of their life.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:
“For the past 60 years Carers UK has fought for a better deal for carers, the charity’s mark can be seen in every major piece of legislation for carers – an incredible legacy to look back on, but whilst we have seen visible progress, stark inequalities persist.
“60% of carers report a long-term health condition or disability compared to 50% of non-carers, and the rate of poverty amongst unpaid carers is 50% higher in comparison to those who do not provide unpaid care.
“Unpaid carers in the UK provide care worth a staggering £184 billion a year,iv yet still too often do not receive the recognition or support they need. The reality for many is extremely tough.
“That’s why we’re encouraging everyone in 2025 to join us in taking action to help make life better for carers. With our focus on equality, we also want to see caring made a protected characteristic, which could help to improve awareness of carers’ inequalities and address invisibility.
“We are using our 60th anniversary year to put unpaid carers in the spotlight, to continue our drive to campaign for lasting change, focusing on what we need to do to create greater equality, support and recognition for carers in the future.”
The charity is planning several key pieces of new evidence on unpaid caring as well as campaigns and events throughout 2025, including:
- Carers Week: Raising awareness of caring and highlighting the challenges unpaid carers face from Monday 9 June to Sunday 15 June 2025.
- Carers UK Awards: A glittering awards ceremony recognising unpaid carers and those who play a vital role in supporting them in the Autumn.
- Carers Rights Day: Founded by Carers UK, Carers Rights Day will be held on Thursday 20 November 2025 celebrating its 25th anniversary as well.
- Mary Webster Lectures: Will take place across the four nations of the UK throughout the year.
Carers UK is also publishing Facts About Carers containing some of the key research and statistics about carers’ lives highlighting the many challenges that they face.
