Let’s hear it for our unsung heroes

Hello everyone. This week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the many thousands of unsung heroes in our community.

The occasion is national Carers Week - the annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face, and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.

It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

This year the theme is 'Caring About Equality' highlighting the inequalities faced by unpaid carers, including a greater risk of poverty, social isolation, poor mental and physical health. Far too often, carers of all ages miss out on opportunities in their education, careers, or personal lives, just because of their caring role.

The 2021 Census shows:

• there are more than 18,200 carers in Bury.
• 5% of Bury residents (aged five years and over) reported providing up to 19 hours of unpaid care each week.
• 9% provided more than 50 hours every week

At Bury we value our unpaid carers who give their time selflessly to provide care for loved ones and friends.

Earlier this year, the council approved our new Carers Strategy 2025-2029, which outlines the commitments we will make in response to the issues highlighted by carers.

At its core is a need to work proactively to identify all unpaid carers, and deliver support that improves their quality of life. This includes raising the profile of carers across Bury, and reducing inequalities by increasing support to carers from under-represented groups.

Carers Week is a fantastic opportunity to recognise the incredible contribution unpaid carers make to our communities every day.