Caring Costs in so many ways. It could be the cost to unpaid carers’ wellbeing and ability to access health services. Sometimes it’s the financial costs associated with looking after someone – or the effects on carers’ employment options. Taking care of someone may cost carers the quality of their relationships, through not being able to take time out to spend with friends and family or through changes to the relationship with those they care for. And the current cost of living crisis is being felt even more acutely by carers throughout the UK.

That’s why on Carers Rights Day organisations and individuals to helped us to:

• Ensure carers are aware of their rights
• Let carers know where to get help and support
• Raise awareness of the needs of carers.

Whether someone has recently become a carer, realised they have been caring for a while without support or has been caring for someone for many years, it’s important they understand their rights and are able to access the support that is available to them as soon as they need it.

Carers need to know their rights wherever they are in their caring journey and regardless of setting; be that in the workplace, in accessing healthcare, when interacting with professionals or at home. On Carers Rights Day, empowered carers with information and support, helping them to feel confident asking for what they need and challenge things when their rights are not being met.

We all need to recognise what Caring Costs – and on Carers Rights Day everyone came together to spread the word about what life is like for unpaid carers, promote where they can go for help and support, and make them aware of their rights and how to access them.

Chris, who cares for his husband Graham, shared a day in his life for Carers Rights Day. Read his blog.

If you are caring for someone and are looking for information for carers or want to find out more about your rights, click here for our Looking after someone guide.