9–15 June 2025 marks Carers Week, a national campaign celebrating and recognising the incredible contributions of unpaid carers. Across South Tees, We Care You Care is leading a local movement - supported by Middlesbrough Council, Redcar and Cleveland Council, Carers Together, The Junction Foundation, and Teesside Mind- to shine a light on individuals who provide vital, often invisible support to loved ones every day.
The Carers Pledge
This year’s campaign in South Tees invites individuals, businesses, schools, and organisations to show their support by signing the Carers Pledge—a commitment to better recognise, value, and support unpaid carers across their communities, with one simple act.
Already, the pledge has been backed by hundreds across the region—from local councillors, schools and GP surgeries to Barclays Middlesbrough, Hays and independent businesses like Groom and Bloom Canine Beauty, and Woods and Waves. To find out more go to wecareyoucare.info/carers-week-pledge-2025
Events Across the Week
Carers Week is packed with opportunities for the public to engage with local services, learn more about unpaid care, and discover the support available. Pop-up information stands will be hosted at:
Wednesday – James Cook University Hospital (10-3pm)
Thursday – Hillstreet Shopping Centre, Middlesbrough (9:30-3pm)
Friday – Redcar Market (9-4pm)
Full programme and event details: wecareyoucare.info/carers-week-2025
The Vital Role of Campaigns
Kelly Hodgson, Project Lead for We Care You Care, explains:
“Too many people don’t realise that what they’re doing, day in, day out, is caring. When it’s your partner, your child, your parent, it just feels like love, like duty. But caring goes beyond the relationship, it’s a role, and one that deserves recognition and support. If carers don’t see themselves that way, they risk missing out on accessing support that could be vital to their health and wellbeing. This Carers Week, our goal is to help the 30,000 carers across the South Tees feel seen, valued, and connected by engaging as many people as possible across the South Tees in our pledge campaign.”
Carers, whether adults or children, provide unpaid support to family members or friends who could not manage without their help. This might be due to illness, disability, mental health conditions, or substance dependency. Most people are carers at some point in their lives. Centre for Care research in 2019, in collaboration with Carers UK and based on Understanding Society data, found that people in the UK have a 65% chance of providing care in their adult life.
Real Voices: The Power of Lived Experience
Sarah (name changed), a single mum caring for a daughter with complex needs, shares her experience:
“I’m not just a mum. I’m the therapist, the teacher, the nurse, the advocate. The love is endless—but so is the work. Without understanding, carers like me can feel invisible. That’s why this campaign is so important.”
Her story highlights the critical role of peer support, flexible employers, and inclusive communities.
Workplace Champions for Carers
Laura Kemp, Director at Hays Specialist Recruitment, says:
“Recognising and supporting carers in the workplace isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s essential to creating a compassionate, sustainable organisation. Our policies and carers support network help employees balance work and care, benefiting our business and society as a whole.”
Across Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland, there are children as young as five who provide care for a family member. Without early identification and whole-family support, these young carers are at risk of poorer emotional and physical wellbeing, and their education and life opportunities can be significantly affected.
Supporting Young Carers
Sally Brook, Principal of Northern Education Trust Badger Hill Primary Academy, says:
“Supporting our young carers and raising awareness among students and families is a priority. With help from The Junction Foundation, we ensure our young carers can thrive, in the classroom and beyond.”
Carers Week is a powerful reminder that unpaid carers are all around, often unseen. Whether in education, the workplace, healthcare, or the wider community, everyone has a role to play in recognising and supporting carers of all ages.
~Ends~
Accompanying image
· Pupils at Northern Education Trust, Badger Hill Academy holding the Carers Week pledge