Carers Week 2023 - Recognising, and supporting carers in the community

Southampton City Council and its partners will be marking national Carers Week (5-11 June) by recognising and supporting carers in the community

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, to highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also aims to help people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

Carers often help to maintain independent living for those they care for, enabling them to continue living in their own home. This also saves the local and national economy billions of pounds each year.

Figures from the 2021 census show that 18,136 people (7.7%) said they provide some level of unpaid care in Southampton.*

Councillor Lorna Fielker, Cabinet Member for Adults, Housing and Health said:

“Carers Week is an opportunity to recognise the vital role that carers play in our communities. We truly value their dedication in supporting their loved ones and neighbours to live independently for longer, day-in and day-out, juggling caring with work and other responsibilities as well as the continued rising cost of living.

“We know that there are many people who do not recognise themselves as carers, and it can often be overwhelming. Young carers, adults with full-time jobs, people on fixed incomes and older carers with health issues of their own may experience a greater impact by providing unpaid care. We want to make sure that carers of all ages can access the information and support they need.”

For carers who provide unpaid support to family, friends or a neighbour, a new service called Unpaid Carers Support Southampton opened in April. This was previously known as Carers in Southampton. The new website will be available from mid-June, providing a great source of information for carers.

Southampton City Council and its partners across the city will be offering a selection of support, activities and highlighting recent initiatives for carers during Carers Week including:

• Developed by Carers UK, a Digital Resource for Carers is now available free of charge. The resource includes e-learning, guides, signposting and access to MyBackUp, a contingency planning tool, and Jointly, an innovative mobile and online care co-ordination app designed by carers for carers. Please contact your GP Practice or Unpaid Carers Support Service in Southampton by email support@unpaidcarers.org.uk or phone 023 8083 3353 who can provide carers with access to the ‘Digital Resource for Carers’ free of charge.
• Southern Health Foundation Trust will be running a campaign on social media as well as podcast episodes with Carer Support Workers and Carers Leads to raise awareness and a deeper understanding of carers.
• Information and links to help if you are being deeply affected by the rising cost of living can be found on Southampton City Council’s dedicated web pages. This includes people make sure they claim what is entitled to them as well as how to look after their mental health.

Find out more information about support for carers. 

*Source: Unpaid care overview - Southampton Data Observatory