Supporting carers in your community
Why this matters
Community organisations, groups and local spaces – such as libraries, community centres, faith groups, sports clubs and neighbourhood networks – can play an important role in helping carers feel connected.
By raising awareness of caring, creating welcoming and inclusive environments, and offering opportunities for social connection and peer support, communities can help carers feel understood and valued. Small actions, such as signposting carers to local support, offering flexible ways to participate in activities, or simply checking in with someone who may be caring, can make a meaningful difference.
How?
Below are practical actions community organisations, groups and local spaces can take to help build a carer friendly community:
Increasing awareness of carers:
- Encourage volunteers and staff to ask simple questions such as “Do you look after someone?”
- Mark events such as Carers Week or Young Carers Action Day to highlight carers in the community.
Creating welcoming and inclusive spaces:
- Offer flexible participation, recognising carers may need to arrive late, leave early or miss sessions.
- Provide accessible venues and activities that carers and the people they care for can attend together where appropriate.
Helping to identify and signpost carers to support:
- Train staff and volunteers to recognise the signs that someone may have caring responsibilities.
- Keep up-to-date information about local carers’ services and support organisations.
- Signpost carers to advice, benefits information, respite opportunities or local carers’ services.
Creating connections and peer support:
- Host informal coffee mornings or peer support groups for carers.
- Create opportunities for carers to connect socially through community activities.
- Partner with local carers’ organisations to run support sessions or outreach events.
Working in partnership:
- With local carers’ organisations, health services, schools and local authorities.
- Share information and resources with other organisations supporting carers.
- Participate in local networks or initiatives focused on improving support for carers.
Encouraging acts of community support:
- Check in with neighbours who may be caring.
- Offer practical help, such as collecting shopping or helping with errands.
- Promote a culture where carers feel comfortable asking for help.
When communities take these steps, they help create environments where carers feel seen, supported and connected. By working together, communities can ensure that carers are not only recognised for the role they play, but also supported to live full and connected lives.
Find out about building carer friendly communities in: