This afternoon, to mark Carers Week 2025, Sir Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Member of Parliament for Kingston and Surbiton, joined Alison Bennett, Member of Parliament for Mid Sussex and Lib Dem spokesperson for Care and Carers, at Greenwich Carers Centre to meet with local unpaid carers.
Organised in collaboration with Carers UK, Carers Week supporter charities, the Centre for Care, and Greenwich Carers Centre, the event offered a valuable opportunity for MPs to hear directly from carers about the challenges they face and the need for more comprehensive support.
With this year’s Carer’s Week theme – “Caring About Equality” – at the forefront of conversations, carers shared their experiences of inequality in employment opportunities, financial security and access to support for their own health and wellbeing.
As part of the visit, MPs and carers took part in The Centre for Care’s life-sized board game, ‘Mind the Gap: Tackling inequalities for unpaid carers’. The interactive game invites participants to take on the role of an unpaid carer and learn more about the inequalities they face. Carers in attendance used the game to share their personal stories and highlight the systemic changes needed to improve carers’ lives.
Reflecting on the afternoon and the opportunity presented by Carers Week, Sir Ed Davey MP, said:
“Carers Week is an important opportunity to shine a light on the incredible, often unseen, work of unpaid carers across our country. They truly keep our communities and NHS going. Far too many carers quietly face serious difficulties and feel undervalued, struggling with their own health and finances and even missing out on life's opportunities simply because of their caring role.
“It's time we truly stood up for equality for carers. This means our government, workplaces, and services all playing their part in creating a fairer world for them. I'm so grateful for the tireless work of the Greenwich Carers Centre, The Centre for Care, and Carers UK for hosting us today. Their dedication is truly inspiring. Let's all come together this Carers Week to show that we genuinely care about equality for carers.”
Helen Walker, Chief Executive, Carers UK, said:
“Carers Week is about recognising the vital contribution that unpaid carers make, and today’s event at Greenwich Carers Centre helped to do just that.
“It was fantastic to see Sir Ed Davey MP and Alison Bennett MP engaging directly with carers and hearing about the challenges they experience – from facing financial hardship, balancing work and care, or struggling with their own mental and physical health.
“Putting carers’ voices at the heart of these conversations is essential to help tackle the inequalities they face. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who shared their experiences this afternoon.”
Professor Kate Hamblin, Director, Centre for Care, said:
“Myself and colleagues from the Centre for Care were honoured to take part and share the ' Mind the Gap: Tackling inequalities for unpaid carers’ board game with Sir Ed Davey MP, Alison Bennett MP and carers from Greenwich. The game was developed to provide an insight into the challenges and inequalities carers face, but also highlight some of the resources available that might help. It was fantastic to hear from the carers who attended who really brought the game to life and shared their expertise.”
