Carers Rights Day – 20 November 2025
Theme: Know your rights, use your rights
Today is Carers Rights Day. Carers Rights Day is an important annual opportunity to raise awareness of the rights of unpaid carers and to ensure that everyone who looks after a loved one feels informed, supported and valued. This year’s theme, “Know your rights, use your rights,” focuses on helping carers understand what they are entitled to and empowering them to use that support.
Why this matters
Every day, around 12,000 people in the UK become unpaid carers for a partner, family member or friend. Many do not initially recognise themselves as carers and may be unaware of their legal rights, the support available or the financial help they could be entitled to.
Whether you care full-time, balance caring with work or family life, are new to caring or have supported someone for many years, it is vital that you understand your rights. No carer should miss out on support designed to ease the pressures caring can bring.
To mark Carers Rights Day this year, CoEL has partnered with the East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership to produce two new leaflets designed to help carers understand:
- Your right to an Adult Carer Support Plan
- Your right to be involved when the person you care for is being discharged from hospital
These leaflets aim to make it easier for carers to understand their rights and feel confident using them. You can download these leaflets and print them out below, or there will be copies available at the Carers of East Lothian office and on the wards at East Lothian Community Hospital.
Your right to an Adult Carer Support Plan
Your right to be involved when the person you care for is being discharged from hospital
Easy Read versions of these leaflets are currently in development and will be uploaded to the Carers Rights section of our website as soon as they are available.