8 - 14 June 2026 - Building Carer Friendly Communities
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. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
The theme this year is 'Every year Carers Week has a different theme. The theme for 2026 is Building Carer Friendly Communities - raising awareness of the carers issue and everything unpaid carers do for their families and for society, striving to ensure that unpaid carers are recognised and supported by their families, communities and society at large.
Carers Week is a UK-wide annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face, and recognise the vital contribution they make to families and communities.
This year’s theme Building Carer Friendly Communities calls on all of us to help create a society where carers are recognised, supported and valued.
At the MND Association, we stand alongside the thousands of people who care for someone living with motor neurone disease.
What Carers Week means for our MND community
Motor neurone disease is a progressive condition that affects the nerves controlling movement, meaning people gradually lose the ability to walk, talk, eat and breathe independently. For carers, this often means:
- Providing increasingly complex care
- Adapting quickly as needs change
- Supporting communication and daily living
- Managing emotional, physical and financial pressures
Unpaid carers of people with MND play a crucial role every day. Their knowledge, resilience and compassion are essential, but they should never have to do it alone.
At the MND Association, we’re here for everyone affected by MND, including families and carers, offering support from diagnosis onwards.
Carer Stories
Behind every caring role is a personal story. During Carers Week, we are sharing the experiences of people supporting loved ones with MND to raise awareness and improve understanding.
Association support
The MND Association has branches and groups across England, Wales and Northern Ireland that can provide local support. Our Association visitors provide people living with and affected by MND with emotional support, information and signposting to further help. Our Wellbeing support fund is available to the main unpaid carers to take a break from their caring duties however suits them, from pamper days to pursuing a hobby.
You can find out more about MND and planning ahead and for advice on benefits you can visit our pages here.
Our MND Connect helpline is here for practical and emotional support - Call us: 0808 802 6262 or email us
Show your support
Thankyou - This Carers Week, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone caring for someone with MND. Your dedication, strength and compassion make an incredible difference every day. You can also leave your messages of support by adding your name to a digital wall on the Carers Week website.
You can also share your support on social media using #CarersWeek
MND Matters: the MND Association podcast
With more than 30 episodes available, MND Matters brings together insight, experience and guidance from experts and people affected by motor neurone disease (MND). Each episode offers clear, trusted information alongside honest conversations about the realities of living with MND.
You can explore episodes on a host of topics, including caring for loved ones and hear practical advice, personal stories and reflections on topics such as managing emotions, supporting family members and becoming a carer for someone with MND.
Our guests include people with MND, those close to them, our ambassadors and health and social care professionals.
You can dive into our episodes by visiting the MND Matters page on our website.