Discover what Carefree got up to during Carers Week 2025!
Every year, Carers Week casts a much-needed spotlight on the incredible, often unseen, work of unpaid carers across the UK. It's a time to acknowledge the immense challenges they face and celebrate the invaluable support they pour into families and communities, day in and day out. But beyond awareness, it's also a crucial moment to highlight available resources and ignite vital conversations about the future of care in the UK.
The theme this year was 'Caring About Equality.' Many events and programs delved into the stark inequalities faced by unpaid carers, from a heightened risk of poverty and social isolation to the toll on their mental and physical health. Unpaid carers are the backbone of our healthcare system, saving the public an astounding £162 billion annually—a figure that surpasses the entire NHS budget. Given this immense contribution, ensuring they have access to support, resources, and much-needed breaks isn't just helpful, it's absolutely crucial.
The reality is, care touches us all. It's not a question of if we'll give or receive care in our lives, but when. That's why a week dedicated to sharing carers' stories, insights, and resources is so powerful; it gets to the heart of what truly matters.
We spent the week immersed in events, chatting with carers and partners, and now we're ready to share our reflections. Come along and see what we discovered!.
Carers Oxfordshire's Information & Connect
For Carers Week, Carers Oxfordshire ran a free information and connect event for unpaid carers in Oxfordshire. We had the opportunity to chat and connect with over a dozen different organisations from across the county, as well as a number of Oxfordshire-based carers.
In Oxfordshire alone, over 50,000 people provide unpaid care to a relative or friend, so speaking to so many and sharing our services was a great experience.
Invisible Armies Exhibition Launch: Celebrating Unpaid Carers
On Wednesday, we hosted a drinks reception at the St Giles hotel in London to launch our new touring exhibition. This exhibition is dedicated to sharing the powerful stories of some of the incredible unpaid carers we've had the privilege to support with a much-needed break.
Joined by carers, their families, and our valued hotel partners and invited guests, we celebrated the launch and the profound impact of a break for unpaid carers. The exhibition, in partnership with Invisible Army, beautifully captures the everyday challenges and joys of these remarkable individuals. The exhibition featured the images and story of six carers. Each talked about their lives, their joys, and what often goes on beneath the surface- as well as how a hotel break with Carefree made a real difference in their lives.
Want to read their individual stories? We’re posting them to the Notebook over the next few weeks!
Rienna (coming soon!)
Ally (coming soon!)
Kel (coming soon!)
Mitelia (coming soon!)
Nia (coming soon!)
Sarah (coming soon!)
These stories and photos will continue to tour through our partner hotels, and we encourage everyone to experience these inspiring stories firsthand and help us raise awareness about the invaluable role of unpaid carers.
Rest Without Guilt
As part of our Carers Week itinerary, we ran an online workshop with Self Space, focusing on how unpaid carers can rest without guilt. Respite isn’t just about collapsing on the sofa after a long day or hoping that some time at the weekend can fix your exhaustion that’s been building for weeks. 68% of Carefree carers have not taken a break in 5 or more years, and 86% said they would not have had the opportunity to without us. Having the ability to rest, relax, and take some time that is solely for themselves is not just invaluable, but for many, life-changing…
In this session, we explored how taking time to rest can run much deeper. Something we can often feel guilty about wanting:
Rest is a necessity, not a luxury. It doesn't have to be earned, and you don’t need permission.
Without proper respite, we can lose ourselves. Just like overworking your body on an injury, your mind needs time to sleep too.
There are seven different types of rest, each focusing on a different part of daily life:
Physical: The act of resting your body
Mental: A break from restless thoughts
Emotional: Feeling safe and supported enough to express your emotions
Social: Recharging your social battery either alone or with a supportive group
Sensory: A break from stimulation
Creative: Engaging with art, nature, or music to relax
Spiritual: Finding meaning in your daily routines
After much discussion and reflection, our participants left with a plan that focused on the types of rest that best suit their needs (as well as a well-deserved reminder that they deserve a break that lets them focus squarely on themselves)
Unpaid Carers Support Southampton
We also had a fantastic time on Friday at Unpaid Carers Support Southampton's event at Portswood Church! It was great to connect with everyone and hear the stories of Southampton-based carers.
We're incredibly proud to be partnered with Unpaid Carers Support Southampton, and we're excited to continue working together to make a real difference. Shout-out to Social Care in Action (SCiA Group) for joining the event and sharing valuable insights into their essential care services.
Carers Week is a powerful reminder of the monumental contribution of unpaid carers and the urgent need to ensure their well-being. At Carefree, we believe that every unpaid carer deserves a break – a chance to rest, recharge, and rediscover themselves, free from the daily pressures of their vital role. We are here to make that a reality, offering much-needed hotel breaks that provide a genuine respite from their unwavering dedication.
Thoughts from the Carefree team
Our digital platform efficiently supports thousands of carers seamlessly, yet there's something uniquely powerful about face-to-face interactions. Events like Carers Week give our team invaluable insight into the real impact of our work.
As a tech-first charity, Carefree's daily interactions with carers typically happen seamlessly online. Events like Carers Week provide a rare and valuable opportunity, not only for our team to connect personally with carers, but also for carers to meet the people behind the platform. It’s a meaningful exchange that enriches both sides. - Joey Ceunen, CTO
It was truly wonderful last week to meet so many unpaid carers in person - whether at our exhibition or at events hosted by our amazing community partners. Your stories and strength continue to inspire us. - Miruna Harpa, Director of Delivery
For the first time in a long time, it feels like people are starting to understand that if becoming a carer isn't part of their story yet, it will be at some point. - Charlotte Newman, CEO
