Carers Week 2025
There are 5.8 million people in the UK caring for a family member, friend or neighbour who is ill, older or disabled. Unpaid carers save the UK economy an estimated £184 billion each year – the equivalent of a second NHS – yet many feel undervalued and unsupported.*
Caring for someone can have a significant impact on your own health, finances, employment and education opportunities. 70% of carers report a long-term physical or mental health condition, disability or illness, compared to 50% of non-carers.**
Carers Week 2025 runs from 9th to 16th June, and this week has a focus on 'Caring About Equality.’ The aim is to highlight the disparities and disadvantages faced by unpaid carers across the UK and call for a fairer society where they have access to greater support.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “Caring for a loved one should never be a reason for facing inequality, but sadly, this is a reality for many in the UK. Unpaid carers are desperate for a break, for better health and social care provision, financial support and equality in the workplace. Over half say they need better understanding and recognition from the public.***
“Carers' Week 2025 is a crucial opportunity to increase awareness, highlighting those who provide vital care to family members, friends or neighbours when they need it most. We want to see a future where they have the right support and the same opportunities to lead healthy and financially secure lives alongside their caring role.”
Home Care: vital support for those caring for a relative or friend
Over time, it may become challenging to look after a family member, friend or neighbour. Home care provides a way for your loved one to stay living in familiar surroundings, whilst receiving the support they need. Importantly, home care also provides respite for the carer, enabling them to take a much-needed break, to take some time out and enjoy their own hobbies for a while.
Oakhaven Care Ltd is a home care provider owned by The Oakhaven Trust. A social enterprise, 100% of any profits made by Oakhaven Care are donated to Oakhaven Hospice, rather than lining the pockets of investors. This is unique - Oakhaven Care is the only home care provider in the region to donate all its profits to a local charity.
The highly-trained team provides compassionate, personalised care, tailored to the individual and flexible to change as your needs develop. From 30-minute drop-in visits to multiple daily visits, extending to live-in and 24-hour care as and when required, Oakhaven Care Assistants support you to remain in the comfort of your own home and maintain your chosen lifestyle.
Erica Longyear, Managing Director of Oakhaven Care, said, "Our visiting care and live-in care services dramatically improve the lives of those for whom we are caring and also for their family, friends and neighbours. Starting home care can often seem really daunting, especially if you have lots of questions. We are here to speak to anyone who has questions about care, whether for now or planning for the future. Our office team are all qualified carers with lots of experience, we'll happily talk over the phone or will pop round and carry out a free assessment of your needs and wishes. Every home care package is different and personalised to the individual, and all are flexible, so they can develop over time as your needs change."
Eric engaged Oakhaven Care initially to provide home care for his father: "I've been using Oakhaven Care services for over five years now. I initially contacted them to provide daily visits when it became obvious that my father was struggling with caring for my mother, who was having a hard time with depression and decreased mobility. The change that the Oakhaven carers brought to the house was immediate and transformative.
"Suddenly, my father was no longer the only person responsible for caring for my mother, which meant that their relationship could go back to being husband and wife, rather than what it had become. Then, in early 2020, my father fell and broke his hip, at which point, Oakhaven were able to provide live-in carers to assist with all the things my father was no longer able to do. Since mid-2020, we've been using the same live-in caregiver, and she remained in place after my mother's passing later that year. I'm really not sure if my father would still be alive if not for the amazing presence of his carer."
Oakhaven Care provides visiting care throughout the New Forest, Totton and Waterside area, and live-in care further afield too. For more information and to get in touch with a chat, please email info@oakhavencare.co.uk or contact 01590 646440 or 023 8180 0505.
* Petrillo, M., Zhang, J., and Bennett, M.R. (2024) Valuing Carers 2021/2022: the value of unpaid care in the UK. London: Carers UK.
** GP Patient Survey, NHS, 2024.
*** Carers UK, State of Caring report, 2023.
