Making Space is committed to ‘Caring about Equality’ this Carers Week
Published 2 June 2025
Making Space is proud to support Carers Week 2025 (9–15 June), a national campaign that shines a light on the vital role of unpaid carers.
This year’s theme, ‘Caring about Equality’, highlights the challenges and inequalities carers face across the UK, calling for a fairer society where all carers have access to the support they need and deserve.
Making Space has been supporting unpaid carers for over 40 years, and we understand the increasing pressures they face in today’s society. This Carers Week we are proud to stand with other social care organisations in inviting carers, local businesses, and communities to get involved and help raise awareness during this important week of action.
Lydia Woodall, Community Services Manager for the Making Space Community Division, said:
Carers Week is a vital opportunity for our caring community to come together and recognise the incredible contribution carers make in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our society. It’s also a time to raise awareness of the inequalities many carers face, including a higher risk of poverty, social isolation, and poor mental and physical health.
At Making Space, we’ve planned a full week of events across our Community Division to give carers both practical support and a well-deserved break from their caring responsibilities. From picnics and coffee mornings to information events, afternoon teas and a seaside trip, we’re creating spaces for carers to connect, access advice, and feel celebrated.
We’ll also be sharing real stories from our colleagues who are carers themselves, highlighting their experiences, the support they've received, and what else could have helped. It’s all part of our commitment to making sure every carer feels seen, valued and supported.
There are 5.8 million people in the UK caring for a family member, friend or neighbour who is ill, older or disabled. Despite contributing an estimated £184 billion to the UK economy each year, many carers feel undervalued and unsupported.
Together, the eight charities are welcoming individuals and organisations to join them in raising awareness, to increase visibility for carers with decision makers, services, employers, communities, and businesses.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:
Carers Week 2025 is a crucial opportunity to raise awareness, highlighting those who provide essential care to family members, friends or neighbours who need it most. We want to see a future where carers have the right support and the same opportunities to lead healthy and financially secure lives alongside their caring role.
Individuals, employers, businesses, schools, health and care services can make a difference by coming together to highlight the importance of ‘Caring about Equality’. With all parts of the community involved, we can work together for an equal society, where carers are recognised, valued and supported.
Our colleague carers:
Our colleague carers are team members whose lived experience or personal understanding of caring enriches the support they provide and truly reflects Making Space’s values of compassion, understanding, and person-centred care. Their insight strengthens their work and helps ensure that no carer ever feels alone.
“I’m not just ‘mum’ or ‘carer’, I’m me. Caring can be exhausting, but helping my family live full lives keeps me going. Working for an employer that truly understands unpaid carers has given me my identity back.”
Vicky – Bids Manager, Business Development
“Caring for my dad after losing my mum has been incredibly tough, but the flexibility and support from work have helped me keep going. It’s made it possible to be there for him and still hold on to myself.”
Toni - Volunteer Co-ordinator
“Being a carer just feels like being family but balancing that with a demanding job can be overwhelming. Having support at work and remembering to look after my own wellbeing has made all the difference.”
Daisy - People & Wellbeing Co-ordinator, People Services
“I cared for my mum until the very end, and now I’m there for my dad, just like they were always there for me. Caring is my purpose. If you're having a bad day, reach out, there's always someone who wants to help.”
Amanda - Team Leader, Rotherham Dementia Services & Carer Support
Read their full stories here. [PDF]
Making Space Carers Week 2025 events:
Monday 9 June:
- Lunch & Learn – Making Space staff will be joining an online Lunch & Learn session with Carers UK to learn more about what it means to be a working carer and the support available through our Employers for Carers membership.
Tuesday 10 June:
- 11am–1pm – Peterborough Carer Coffee Morning
Held at The Fleet, this is an opportunity to chat with staff, meet other carers, and access advice and support. - 12–2pm – Bradford Carers Picnic
Carers will enjoy a relaxed picnic at Horton Park, Bradford, with lawn games and refreshments. - 1.30–3pm – Sandalwood Day Centre Tasting Event (Doncaster)
In partnership with Wiltshire Farm Foods, this event offers carers and their families the chance to sample meals and access information about the service and other carer support available.
Wednesday 11 June:
- All day – Rotherham Day Trip to Cleethorpes
Rotherham Dementia Support Service is taking carers and the people they care for on a seaside trip to Cleethorpes, complete with fish and chips on the seafront.
Thursday 12 June:
- 10am–4pm – Bolton Carers Information Event
Bolton Mental Health Carer Support in partnership with Bolton Carers and Bolton Adult Social Care, this event at Albert Halls will offer information, support and networking opportunities for carers. - 12–2pm – Doncaster Carer Celebration & Fashion Show
Hosted by the ‘We All Are One’ group, this event includes a fashion show, music, dancing, food, a raffle, and stalls with carer information.
Friday 13 June:
- 1–3pm – St Helens Afternoon Tea
Carers will enjoy a relaxing afternoon tea at a local community café, hosted by our Family Support team.
Saturday 14 June:
- 11am–4pm – Cheshire East Carers Week Fayre
Held at Sandbach Leisure Centre, this family-friendly event will feature a marketplace of stalls, carer-created displays, a soft play area, Tai Chi demonstration and lunch - you can download the poster here!
Find out more about Making Space carers services here.
Carers Week 2025 is organised by Carers UK, alongside charity supporters Age UK, Carers Trust, MND Association, Oxfam GB, Rethink Mental Illness, The ME Association and The Lewy Body Society.
For information and resources for carers, visit www.carersweek.org and follow the campaign using #CarersWeek.