Carers Rights Day

Carers Rights Day is a national day that aims to ensure carers are aware of their rights, let carers know where to get help and support, and raise awareness of the needs of carers.

Last year, Carers’ Resource invited unpaid carers to a series of events at our offices on Carers Rights Day – Thursday November 23rd.

Local councils are developing new carers strategies, and we want them to listen to carers.

So we asked carers to come along and tell us:

What are the biggest challenges for you as a carer?
What would make your life as a carer easier?

These events took place at our Bradford, Skipton and Harrogate offices from 1.30pm-3.30pm on Thursday November 23rd, and at Selby Carers Coffee group at Selby Bowling Club on Monday 20th November from 11am-1pm.

Carers who were unable to attend these events, but wanted to contribute to the conversation, were invited to fill in a web form.

We promised we would collate carers’ answers and share them, anonymously, with the local councils. We have now produced a report which shares the key comments and themes raised during the events, along with some recommendations for the future. You can download the report using the link below.

Carers Rights Day 2023 Report

A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, frailty, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.

A carer may be any age including:

A young carer under 18 years of age.
A parent carer caring for a child with additional support needs (diagnosed and undiagnosed).
A friend or neighbour providing support to someone who is vulnerable.
A husband, wife or partner.
A person caring for an elderly parent who needs support.
Caring for someone can take up a few hours each week, or a carer may be caring for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Unpaid carers have rights including:

A free flu vaccine.
The right to be identified as a carer.
The right to protection from discrimination.
The right to receive a Carer’s Assessment.
The right to discuss flexible working options.
The right to be consulted on hospital discharge.

To find out more about your rights as a carer, click here: Carers’ Identity and Rights

To find out more about the national Carers Rights Day, go to www.carersuk.org/news-and-campaigns/carers-rights-day