This week (8th – 14th June) is Carers Week 2026. Carers Week is a national campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlighting the challenges unpaid carers face, and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities.
At Carers of East Lothian, we are proud to be supporting this year’s campaign, which focuses on the importance of creating Carer Friendly Communities—places where unpaid carers are recognised, understood and valued.
Across our county, many thousands of people provide unpaid care for a family member, friend or neighbour who could not manage without their help. Yet many carers do not identify themselves as such and may miss out on vital support. Carers Week provides an opportunity to shine a light on caring experiences and ensure carers voices are heard.
Why Carer Friendly Communities Matter
Carer friendly communities are places, spaces, services and community groups where unpaid carers are recognised, understood and valued. They exist anywhere carers live, work, study or spend time. Carer friendly communities are made up of people who:
- Raise awareness of unpaid caring.
- Help people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access support.
- Recognise unpaid carers and the vital role they play in our families and communities.
- Understand the realities and impact of caring and highlight the challenges carers face.
- Take action to identify and support carers in practical ways.
- Empower carers to live fulfilling lives.
These places, spaces and groups include our workplaces, local communities, faith communities, GP practices, hospitals, local NHS neighbourhoods, pharmacies, schools, colleges and universities, businesses or online communities supporting unpaid carers. Even small changes in these places can, and do, make a big difference to carers’ daily lives.
This year’s theme is particularly important as it highlights that unpaid care is taking place across all areas of society, often unnoticed. Recognising and supporting carers is a shared responsibility, and by building Carer Friendly Communities we can ensure carers are acknowledged, understood and supported wherever they are.
Carers of East Lothian Events
To mark Carers Week 2026, we have organised a programme of events designed to celebrate carers, raise awareness, and connect people with support.
The week’s programme will include a wellbeing session, arts and crafts, a walk in the countryside, a barge trip, an afternoon tea and an intergenerational session at Foxlake. There are still a few spaces on some of the sessions. Please contact us on 01316650135 if you would like to join us. You can also check whether there are spaces on each of the sessions by clicking the links on the poster below.
Drop in session at the wellbeing hub and CoEL office
Staff will be available at the CoEL office in East Lothian Community Hospital for carers and professionals to come along and talk to about any carer related topics on Wednesday 10th June from 12pm – 2pm. There will be staff from our Welfare Rights Team, our Hospital Link Service and our Volunteer and Training Coordinator. We will also open up the office where there will be teas, coffees and cakes. All are welcome.
Think Carer session for professionals
If it is likely that you will come into contact with carers through your work, we are offering a Think Carer session on Thursday 11th June from 10 – 11. This online session aims to equip professionals to know how to support carers they may meet. Please contact Catherine.Cain@coel.org.uk
to request a space.
Media Toolkit
And finally, please use the media toolkit developed with East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership and the Young Carers Service to show your support for unpaid carers.