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Carers Week 2023: I Care

Carers Week is an 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. Carers Week also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

So, when we talk about carers, who is it we mean?

A carer is

‘Anyone who, in an unpaid capacity looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, or disability’

The charity Carers UK estimates that the number of unpaid carers has risen to 10.6 million. This means that 1 in 5 adults in the UK has a caring role.

The theme for Carers Week 2023 is ‘recognising and supporting carers in the community’.

MS-UK recognise that carers play a huge role in the multiple sclerosis (MS) community. Whether a family member’s main source of care, or a friend helping with daily tasks and transport, the help carers give is valued and appreciated.

If you provide unpaid support to a person living with MS, you are part of our community, MS-UK is here for anyone affected by MS.

The MS-UK Peer Support Service has been developed to create an online community for people affected by MS to connect with others in a positive and supportive space. Our ‘Caregiver’s Peer Pod’ happens over Zoom, on the first Tuesday of every month at 5pm. If you or someone you know would like to join, please contact our Peer Support Coordinator Vicky at peersupport@ms-uk.org.

Members of the peer pod had the following to say about their small online community.

‘The Caregivers’ pod has been excellent for me, allowing me to feel less alone in my struggle to get used to my partner’s condition.’

‘It is so good to chat with people in the same situation and share ideas. It is very lonely being a carer, so it really helps to chat with other people in a similar situation.’

‘I am finding the caregivers’ peer pod invaluable.  We can share our experiences with people who are in similar situations, providing practical and emotional support.  It is particularly useful to have a group for MS caregivers as there are many things specific to MS care.’

If you are a carer looking for information that can help in your caregiving role, MS-UK has a webpage on support for carers. Our information covers recognising you have a caring role, carers support in your community, carers support across the nations, young carers, adult carers, carers rights, working carers and breaks from caring.

If you want to talk to someone about being a carer, or would like help finding support, you can contact the MS-UK Helpline on 0800 783 0518, use the webchat on our website or email us on info@ms-uk.org.

Carers Week resources