Unpaid carers celebrated across Oxfordshire by the council

Oxfordshire County Council is recognising their contributions as part of this year’s National Carers Week, which takes place between June 8 to 14.

Carers Week is a national campaign led by Carers UK, and the 2026 theme, Building Carer Friendly Communities, focuses on ensuring that carers are identified early, listened to, and supported by workplaces, services, and communities.

Rebekah Fletcher, cabinet member for adult social care at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Unpaid carers play a vital role in our communities, often providing support quietly and without recognition.

“Carers Week is an opportunity to thank carers for everything they do, raise awareness of the pressures they can face, and make sure they know where to turn for support.

“We are committed to working with partners to build more carer-friendly communities across Oxfordshire, where carers are identified early, listened to, and supported to look after their own wellbeing alongside their caring roles.”

An estimated 50,000 unpaid carers live in Oxfordshire, supporting older people, disabled individuals, or those living with illness.

While caring can be meaningful, it can also strain a person’s health, finances, and ability to work.

Throughout Carers Week, OCC will share information to encourage carers to seek support and highlight its commitment to being a carer-friendly organisation and employer.

The council works closely with Carers Oxfordshire, which is commissioned to deliver information, advice, and practical support to unpaid carers.

This includes help understanding caring roles, accessing assessments, securing breaks, and supporting personal wellbeing.

Paul Ringer, chief executive of Age UK Oxfordshire, said: “Caring can be deeply rewarding but it can also be exhausting and isolating, especially when people feel they have to cope alone.

“Carers Week is an important opportunity to shine a light on the vital contribution those providing unpaid care make, and to work together alongside partners such as Oxfordshire County Council, to build more carer-friendly communities where they feel seen, heard, and properly supported.

“Through our work at Carers Oxfordshire, we see every day the difference that timely, local support can make.”

This work is guided by Oxfordshire’s all-age unpaid carers strategy, developed in partnership with carers, voluntary organisations, and community groups.

The strategy aims to identify carers earlier – especially those who may not recognise themselves as carers – and ensure access to advice, support, and health and wellbeing services.

It also helps with balancing caring alongside work, education, and personal life.

As an employer, OCC supports staff who are carers through flexible working arrangements and a dedicated internal carers’ network.