Carers Week 2016 is running from the 6 - 12 June. Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges that carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.

The theme of this years carers week is Carer Friendly Communities. Carer Friendly Communities are places where carers feel supported to look after their family or friends, and recognised as individuals with needs of their own. Carers Week are asking people to recommend organisations, services and employers who are already carer friendly and invite other organisations to use our checklist to commit to becoming carer friendly.

One in eight of us are currently carers looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member or friend. The very nature of caring means very often people don’t at first, or sometimes ever, identify themselves as carers. Rather, they think of themselves simply as wife, husband, son, daughter, mum, dad or perhaps grandparent, niece or nephew helping a loved one.

Without the right help and support caring can have a devastating impact – carers can quickly become cut off with their physical and emotional health, work and, their finances all hit hard.

Carers Week is brought to life by the individuals and organisations who come together to organise activities and events throughout the UK, drawing attention to just how important caring is.

For more information and advice about caring go to Live It Well Carers page.

• Find out more about Carers Week and how you can get involved and pledge.
• To see what support and help Kent County Council give carers follow the link.
• To see what support and help Medway Council give carers follow the link.