On the first day of Carers Week 2026, Alison Bennett, Member of Parliament for Mid Sussex and Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Care and Carers, and Helen Morgan, Member of Parliament for North Shropshire and Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Health and Social Care, met with a group of unpaid carers to hear about their experiences of caring and discuss how communities can better recognise and support carers.
Organised by Carers UK and the six charities supporting Carers Week 2026, with support from headline sponsor TSB, the meeting highlighted this year's theme, Building Carer Friendly Communities. Carers shared their experiences of balancing caring responsibilities with work, education, and family life, and discussed the importance of being recognised by the people, organisations and services around them.
Reflecting on the meeting, Alison Bennett MP said:
“Marking Carers Week gives us a chance to recognise the invaluable contribution made by unpaid carers, who often shoulder enormous responsibilities without the support they need. The experiences shared by carers underline the challenges many face, from loneliness and exhaustion to navigating a complex and fragmented care system.
We must do more to ensure carers can access the help available to them and build stronger connections with others who understand their experiences. Unpaid carers provide an essential service to families and communities across the country, and they deserve proper recognition, practical support and the respect their dedication warrants. As the party's spokesperson for care and carers, I will continue to champion policies that deliver a better deal for unpaid carers.”
Helen Morgan MP said:
"Carers Week is an opportunity to think about those unpaid, family carers who do so much with so little support. The carers who shared their stories highlighted how being a carer can be isolating, and that finding help in our care system can be a full-time job in itself. It’s essential that we find ways to connect carers, not only to the services that are there to help them, but to each other as well. Unpaid carers deserve recognition, meaningful support and our respect, and Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for a fairer deal for them."
