Making life better for carers
Looking after someone can be a rewarding experience but it can also be lonely and bewildering.
For almost 60 years we've been making life better for carers, raising their voices together to call for change and seek recognition and support.
Guided by a Board of Trustees that's primarily made up of current and former carers, we're here to make life better for carers, listening to what carers tell us and rooted in the real experiences of our members.
Our history
Carers UK has a history stretching back to the 1960s when a carer called Rev. Mary Webster founded the first ever carers' organisation. This organisation merged with another carers' organisation to form Carers UK. Over the years countless thousands of our members have fought alongside us for a better deal for carers and have helped to lead and shape the charity.
What are Carers UK’s priorities?
During the pandemic, many people found that, overnight, they were caring for family or friends who were older, disabled or seriously ill. The simple fact is that at some point in our lives, most of us will find ourselves caring for someone.
That’s why we are determined to deliver our vision, where carers are recognised, valued and supported. Find out more about Vision 2025
How we're run
Our constitution sets out how we must be run, from the way we structure membership to the process for appointing Board members.
Ultimately our Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring that the charity and everyone working for it operates within an increasingly complex legal framework. Each Trustee is an unpaid volunteer with particular skills and experience. Our Nominations Committee ensures that we maintain the right balance of skills, diversity and caring experience, so the Board is equipped to lead the charity well.
Our constitution specifies that the Board must contain a majority of Carers UK members with recent experience of caring. This is one of the most important ways in which we seek to live out our core value that carers are at the heart of everything we do as a charity.
Our constitution also sets out the formal ways in which members have a say in the running of the charity. This includes approving accounts and the appointments of auditors and Trustees at an AGM, as well as voting on special resolutions, such as constitutional change. In addition, there are many informal ways in which members shape our understanding and direction and enable Carers UK to function as a supportive community and a movement for change.
As a carer, you can join us as a member for free – find out more about the benefits.
Comments and complaints
Carers UK is committed to providing high quality information, guidance and support to carers. Whoever you deal with at Carers UK, we expect you to be treated with courtesy and to find us friendly and welcoming.
We welcome your comments on any aspect of our work. When we have got things wrong, we will endeavour to put them right.
If you have a concern or you are dissatisfied with any aspect of Carers UK’s services or activities, we want to hear from you.
Our code of conduct sets out how to make a complaint about any aspect of Carers UK.
