By Matthew McKenzie – Carer, Author, Poet and Host of the Carers UK Information Stall 10 June 2026, Perceval House, Ealing
As a carer myself, supporting both of my brothers, I understand that caring is often a role we never planned for, yet one we embrace out of love, duty and commitment. It can be rewarding, but it can also be isolating, exhausting and overwhelming. That is why events such as the Carers Week Celebration 2026, organised by Ealing Carers Partnership, Ealing Carers Hub and Ealing Council, are so important.
I think it reminds us that carers matter, that our voices are heard and that we are not alone.
Having the privilege of hosting the Carers UK information stall, while also attending as a carer, poet and author, I witnessed first-hand the incredible sense of community that filled Perceval House throughout the day.
The event brought together carers, professionals, charities, community organisations and council representatives for a celebration that was both informative and inspiring. Alongside the opportunity to gather information and advice, carers enjoyed complimentary refreshments, free manicures from students of Uxbridge College, artwork exhibitions and the chance to connect with others who truly understand the caring journey.
Carer Stalls of Support and Opportunities
One of the highlights of the day was the large exhibition area, where carers could meet a wide range of organisations offering support, guidance and practical services.
The information stalls represented the breadth of support available across Ealing and North West London. Throughout the day carers visited displays from organisations including:
Carers UK
Ealing Carers Partnership
Ealing Carers Hub
Mind
RISE
Ealing Advice Service
Harlington Hospice / Harlington Care
Independent Mental Health Advocacy Services
Volunteer Centre Ealing
Eating Disorders Support Services
Community wellbeing organisations
Health and social care providers
Local voluntary sector groups
Arts and creativity projects for carers
Community engagement and peer support groups
Many stalls offered practical information about carers’ rights, benefits, wellbeing support, mental health services, respite opportunities, advocacy and volunteering. Others showcased creative projects and community activities designed to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing.
It was also great to see Carer Poetry displayed including the Carer Poetry group I run with Ealing Carers.
At the Carers UK stall, I had numerous conversations with carers who were seeking information about financial support, carers’ assessments, employment rights and how to balance caring responsibilities with their own health and wellbeing. What struck me most was how many carers were attending such an event for the first time and discovering services they never knew existed.
The exhibition also featured the moving “A Carer Is…” artwork display, where carers expressed their experiences through art. The exhibition provided a powerful reminder that caring is not simply a task—it is an emotional journey filled with love, sacrifice, resilience and hope.
Listening to Carers: The Ealing Carers Forum and Council Presentations
A major focus of the day was the Carers Forum and Question & Answer Session, where carers had the opportunity to hear directly from council leaders and ask questions about services, support and future plans.
The event was opened by senior representatives who acknowledged the enormous contribution carers make every day.
Among the key speakers were:
Paul Driscoll, Cabinet Member for Healthy Equal Lives, Ealing Council
Kashmir Takhar, Ealing’s Carers Commissioner
Senior representatives from Adult Social Care
Sophie (Assistant Director, Adult Social Care)
Representatives from Ealing Carers Partnership
Representatives from Ealing Carers Hub
Jane Wheeler, Chief Executive of Harlington Hospice
Paul Driscoll spoke about his commitment to understanding carers’ experiences and ensuring that Ealing’s Carers Strategy becomes a meaningful reality rather than simply another policy document. He emphasised the importance of recognition, support and partnership working with carers.
The presentation by Kashmir Takhar focused on Ealing’s Carers Strategy, a joint strategy developed in partnership with carers, health services, social care and voluntary sector organisations. The strategy highlights four key priorities:
Identifying carers early in their caring journey.
Helping carers maintain family and community life.
Supporting carers’ physical and mental wellbeing.
Helping carers maximise income and achieve their potential.
The presentation revealed that there are approximately 24,000 carers in Ealing, although many remain hidden and do not identify themselves as carers. It also highlighted the growing challenges carers face around mental health, financial pressures, access to services, respite care and social isolation.
Particularly encouraging was hearing about plans to improve access to information, increase wellbeing activities, strengthen respite opportunities and expand support for young carers and working carers.
The Power of Carers’ Voices
One of the most important aspects of the forum was the open discussion session.
Carers shared their personal experiences, raising concerns about respite services, communication between council departments, transport arrangements and the challenges of navigating complex systems while already carrying significant caring responsibilities.
A particularly powerful contribution came from a carer who described how difficult it had been to arrange respite care due to poor coordination between services. The honesty and emotion behind this contribution resonated with many people in the room because it reflected experiences that carers often face but rarely have opportunities to discuss publicly.
Council representatives acknowledged these concerns and committed to improving communication, responsiveness and coordination across services. Assistant Director Sophie openly recognised that carers deserve better experiences and welcomed continued feedback to help shape future improvements.
Representatives from frontline organisations, including Ealing Advice Service, also highlighted recurring issues encountered by carers and stressed the importance of joined-up working between agencies.
Later in the session, Jane Wheeler from Harlington Hospice explained how the organisation’s carers’ short break service supports carers through home-based respite, community outings and specialist support. Her presentation reinforced the message that carers themselves need care, support and opportunities to recharge.
It was more than just a Carers Event
As the day came to a close, what remained was a sense of connection.
For many carers, simply being in a room full of people who understood their experiences was invaluable. There was laughter, conversation, shared stories and moments of reflection. New friendships were formed, information was exchanged and carers left knowing that support is available.
From my own perspective, hosting the Carers UK stall and speaking with so many dedicated carers reinforced why events like this matter. Caring can often feel invisible. The hours spent supporting loved ones frequently go unnoticed by wider society. Yet carers are the backbone of our communities and health systems.
The Carers Week Celebration reminded us that carers deserve recognition not just during one week each year but every day.
To everyone who organised the event, staffed a stall, delivered a presentation, volunteered their time or simply attended and shared their story, I thank you.
Most importantly, to every unpaid carer reading this: thank you for everything you do.
For Carers Week 2026, it takes place from 8–14 June and shines a spotlight on the millions of unpaid carers who provide essential care and support to family members, friends and loved ones throughout the UK.
This year’s theme, Building Carer Friendly Communities, highlights the need for workplaces, healthcare services, schools, local authorities and communities to better recognise and support unpaid carers.
Despite contributing billions of pounds worth of care each year, many unpaid carers continue to face challenges including financial hardship, social isolation, poor mental health and difficulties accessing support. So Carers Week aims to raise awareness of these issues while encouraging practical action to create a society where carers are valued, respected and included.
As a carer activist and founder of my site A Caring Mind, I am sure that creating carer-friendly communities starts with understanding the realities of caring. Whether you are caring for an ageing parent, a disabled child, a partner with a long-term condition or someone experiencing mental ill health, carers play a vital role in keeping families and communities together.
However, there are still many people do not identify themselves as carers and therefore miss out on important support, benefits and services. Carers Week 2026 provides an opportunity for individuals, organisations and policymakers to listen to carers’ experiences, champion carers’ rights and improve access to support for unpaid carers across the UK.
Watch my Carers Week 2026 video below to learn more about the campaign, this year’s theme and how you can get involved in supporting unpaid carers. Please share the video to help raise awareness and encourage more people to recognise the invaluable contribution that carers make every single day.
Together, we can build stronger, more inclusive and more carer-friendly communities
By Matthew McKenzie – Chair of the Carers Hospital Discharge group
Hospital discharge remains one of the most critical and stressful moments for unpaid carers, patients and healthcare professionals alike. During the recent Carers Hospital Discharge Group meeting held in May 2026, professionals, carers, NHS leaders, hospital representatives and community organisations came together to discuss major developments affecting carers across London and beyond.
The Carers Hospital Discharge meeting runs every 2 months and for the month of May we discussed improving hospital discharge processes, strengthening carer identification, digital inclusion, community support and the growing role of technology in healthcare planning.
The blog update is for those unable to attend, here is a summary of the key discussions, presentations, questions and responses shared during the session.
Universal Care Plan Expansion Through the NHS App
One of the biggest updates came from NHS England, who shared exciting news about the expansion of the Universal Care Plan (UCP).
The new development allows patients and members of the public to begin creating their own Universal Care Plans directly through the NHS App. Previously, only clinicians could initiate many aspects of these plans.
NHS England explained that editable sections now include areas such as:
“What matters to me”
Communication preferences
Care and contingency plans
Personal support needs
Clinical sections, however, remain under healthcare professional control.
Updates described the project as a major milestone after years of discussion about allowing people greater control over their own care information.
Question from attendee:
“Will carers be able to input on behalf of their cared-for person?”
response from presenter:
At present, carers cannot directly complete plans on behalf of another person due to safeguarding and proxy access concerns. However, carers can still complete their own care contingency plans within the system.
It was explained that this means if a carer suddenly becomes unable to provide care, emergency services and healthcare providers would be alerted that a contingency plan exists.
They also noted that community organisations could potentially support individuals with completing plans, provided appropriate governance and data security arrangements are in place.
The discussion highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of balancing digital access with safeguarding responsibilities
*****
For more developments on the Universal Care PLan, I have provided the link below of the recent Webinar
New Research on Social Networks and Healthcare Support
Matthew McKenzie introduced an emerging research project led by Queen Mary University of London alongside several major universities including Harvard, Oxford and Warwick.
The project aims to explore how patients’ social support networks influence health outcomes, hospital admissions and long-term wellbeing.
Researchers are developing tools to map patients’ support systems, including:
Family carers
Friends
Peer groups
Community support
Online social networks
The project seeks to better understand how strong support systems can improve self-management and reduce avoidable hospital admissions.
Matthew explained that researchers are particularly interested in understanding:
Whether support network mapping would feel helpful or intrusive
How carers should be recognised within healthcare systems
How cultural differences affect support networks
What safeguards around privacy and consent are needed
The proposal sparked interest among attendees because it reflects a wider NHS shift toward community-based care and prevention.
NHS England connected the project to wider work around “family group conferencing,” where whole-family approaches are used to plan care and support more collaboratively.
NHS England’s Urgent and Emergency Care Strategy 2025/26
A major section of the meeting focused on NHS England’s emerging Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) Strategy.
Matthew presented some notes on NHS England UEC outlining plans to:
Reduce avoidable hospital admissions
Deliver more care within communities
Expand digital healthcare access
Improve hospital discharge pathways
Strengthen operational efficiency
Key proposals included:
AI-enabled triage systems
NHS App navigation tools
Digitally coordinated urgent care
Expanded community-based treatment
Greater use of early intervention models
However, the discussion quickly moved toward the potential risks associated with rapid digital transformation.
Participants concerns:
Representatives covering Hospitals, raised important concerns about how discharge pressures could negatively affect carers.:
“If somebody urgently needs that hospital bed, the pressure becomes getting people discharged quickly. That may not always leave enough time to identify carers properly.”
They stressed that carer identification should happen throughout the patient journey not only during discharge.
They highlighted opportunities for identification during:
Outpatient appointments
Pre-assessment clinics
Routine hospital interactions
Concerns About Digital Poverty
Another major concern involved digital exclusion.
Participants warned that:
Older people
People with dementia
Individuals without smartphones
People facing poverty
Non-English speakers
Neurodivergent individuals
could all struggle if urgent care becomes too dependent on digital systems.
It was mentioned that meeting carers who still rely entirely on phone calls rather than online platforms and stressed the need for alternative accessible routes into care.
Others agreed and referenced an Equality Impact Assessment linked to the NHS 10-Year Plan, which explores risks around digital inequality and vulnerable groups being left behind.
A major highlight will be the attendance of Sir Ed Davey, who is himself a well-known advocate for unpaid carers due to his own lived experience caring for family members. His involvement is expected to help raise awareness of the challenges carers face daily.
KCN also spoke about Kingston Carers Network’s ongoing efforts to strengthen links with Kingston Hospital. The organisation already receives referrals through the hospital’s carers liaison department, helping unpaid carers access emotional support, information and practical guidance following hospital admissions or discharge.
However, KCN is now trying to expand its presence inside the hospital itself through more direct face-to-face outreach work. Plans are being discussed to establish regular information stands within hospital settings so carers can receive support earlier and more proactively.
KCN explained that while these conversations are progressing, coordinating regular in-hospital outreach remains challenging due to logistical pressures and scheduling issues. Despite this, the organisation continues to work closely with hospital teams to improve visibility and engagement with carers.
Beyond hospital settings, Kingston Carers Network continues to deliver several outreach programmes throughout the borough. Staff regularly attend local groups, community spaces and events to identify carers who may not realise support is available to them.
North Central London Carers Support Project
Eleanor updated the group on work taking place across:
Barnet
Camden
Enfield
Haringey
Islington
The project works in partnership with multiple NHS trusts and carers organisations across North Central London with the aim of creating a more consistent and coordinated approach to identifying and supporting unpaid carers.
At the centre of the programme is the development of a standard operating procedure for carers within hospitals and healthcare settings. The goal is to ensure carers are recognised earlier, referred more efficiently and supported more consistently regardless of which hospital or borough they engage with.
One of the project’s biggest developments has been the creation of a dedicated carers referral website. Eleanor explained that the system is designed to simplify the referral process for healthcare professionals. When a referral is submitted through the portal, the system automatically directs the carer to the appropriate local carers organisation based on their postcode.
The intention is to remove confusion for hospital staff while helping carers access support much faster.
Eleanor described the project as an effort to make support pathways:
Easier for professionals to navigate
More accessible for carers
Better integrated across borough boundaries
Less dependent on individual staff knowledge
A major focus of the project continues to be embedding carer awareness into everyday hospital practice.
Carer Awareness Training Expanding Across Hospitals
The team has made significant progress with carer awareness training sessions delivered across several NHS trusts.
Regular drop-in training sessions are now taking place with:
The Whittington Trust
The Royal Free
North London Mental Health Trust services
Eleanor shared that attendance at some sessions has now exceeded 40 healthcare staff members, which she described as a major success.
The training focuses on:
Identifying unpaid carers earlier
Understanding carers’ rights and needs
Improving referral pathways
Increasing staff confidence when supporting carers
Embedding carer recognition into routine clinical practice
Importantly, the project measures the effectiveness of these sessions using confidence ratings before and after training. Eleanor reported that most staff attending show at least a one- or two-level increase in confidence around identifying and supporting carers after participating.
North Central London’s Focus on Carers Week and Community Engagement
Preparations for Carers Week are also a major priority for the project.
The team plans to host information stalls and awareness events at several hospitals including:
The Whittington Hospital
University College London Hospital (UCLH)
Barnet Hospital
These events aim to:
Raise awareness of unpaid carers
Promote available support services
Encourage hospital staff to make referrals
Help carers connect with local organisations
Lewisham Council Developments
Updates from Lewisham was on the ongoing work taking place across Lewisham to improve support for unpaid carers, particularly through closer collaboration between hospitals, carers organisations and local commissioners.
A major development has been Lewisham Hospital’s involvement in the South East London pilot programme focused on creating a standard operating procedure for carers across NHS trusts. The pilot aims to improve consistency in how carers are identified, supported and referred within hospital settings.
It was explained that Lewisham Hospital has been working closely with Imago, the borough’s commissioned carers support provider, to strengthen partnerships with hospital nursing teams and improve awareness of carers across wards and services.
Particular emphasis is now being placed on:
Increasing carer awareness training
Improving communication between services
Embedding carer identification into routine hospital practice
Strengthening links between healthcare and community support
Inspired by discussions during the meeting, it was also highlighted plans to explore integrating carer identification into regular auditing and review processes within hospital settings similar to initiatives already underway in other trusts.
Redesigning Lewisham’s Future Carers Service
One of the most significant updates involved the redesign of Lewisham’s carers support service model.
They shared that the current commissioned contract for carers services is due to end in January 2027, and work is already underway to shape the next phase of support provision.
Importantly, unpaid carers themselves are playing a central role in developing the new model.
A series of co-production sessions has been held with carers across the borough to ensure their lived experiences directly influence future service design. These discussions are helping shape priorities around:
Access to support
Communication with carers
Outreach and identification
Emotional wellbeing services
Practical support needs
Hospital discharge experiences
The borough hopes to move into procurement for the redesigned service later this year.
Carers Hub Lambeth
Carers Hub Lambeth shared an update on the organisation’s ongoing work supporting unpaid carers across King’s College Hospital and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trusts.
Although the current hospital carers project funding has been extended for an additional six months, Jen explained that the programme is now approaching its final phase, with funding currently due to end in September 2026.
As a result, the team’s main focus is now on ensuring hospitals become as self-sufficient as possible in identifying and supporting carers once the dedicated project ends.
Expanding Carer Awareness Training
A major priority for Lambeth Carers Hub is expanding carer awareness training for healthcare professionals.
It was explained that the organisation has:
Increased training sessions from once to twice monthly
Begun arranging bespoke sessions with individual hospital teams
Expanded engagement with primary care networks
Updated training materials to address barriers to carer identification
The training aims to help healthcare staff:
Recognise unpaid carers earlier
Understand carers’ support needs
Improve referral pathways
Build confidence in conversations with carers
Embed carers into routine healthcare practice
Carers Hub Lambeth acknowledged that while training sessions often generate an immediate increase in referrals, maintaining long-term momentum remains challenging.
It was mentioned that a familiar pattern where professionals attend training, referrals increase temporarily, and then gradually reduce again as competing clinical pressures take over.
Because of this, the organisation is now trying to better understand:
Why carers continue to be missed
What barriers staff face in identifying carers
How carer awareness can become part of everyday practice rather than an additional task
This reflects a wider challenge discussed throughout the meeting — ensuring carer support becomes embedded within healthcare systems rather than dependent on individual staff enthusiasm.
Embedding Carer Recognition Into Everyday Hospital Practice
One of the most practical discussions came from GESH update on integrating carers into routine hospital auditing processes.
St George’s and Epsom and St Helier Hospitals are now:
Adding carer identification questions into ward audits
Including carers within routine quality checks
Training volunteers to identify carers on wards
Embedding carers into “business as usual” practice
Wendy also spoke extensively about the NHS “Reasonable Adjustments Digital Flag,” a major NHS initiative designed to ensure patients’ accessibility needs are recognised across services.
The system aims to help hospitals and GP services better identify:
Communication needs
Disabilities
Neurodivergence
Mental health conditions
Carer-related support needs
The long-term goal is for healthcare systems to automatically recognise and share reasonable adjustment requirements across services.
Final Reflections
The meeting demonstrated both optimism and concern about the future direction of health and social care.
There was strong agreement that:
Community-based care is necessary
Earlier intervention can prevent hospital admissions
Carers must be identified earlier
Digital systems offer opportunities
However, participants repeatedly stressed that healthcare transformation must not leave vulnerable people behind.
Carers remain central to safe discharge, patient wellbeing and long-term community support. As NHS services increasingly move toward digital and community-led models, ensuring carers are recognised, supported and included will remain critical.
The next Carers Hospital Discharge Group meeting is expected to take place in July 2026.
Recently, I had the privilege of attending and speaking at the West Kent Paddock Wood Group, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the experience, not just as a speaker, but as a mental health carer among peers who truly understand the journey.
The session took place at Unit 1 Eastlands, Maidstone Road in Paddock Wood, a welcoming and accessible venue that immediately set the tone for openness and support. From the moment I arrived, it was clear that this was a safe space. The event was hosted by Naomi Muigua who is the Social Care Involvement Officer.
The structure of the morning was thoughtfully organised, with time for introductions, discussion, and shared learning, all underpinned by respect, confidentiality, and equality among attendees .
A Community that works to understand carers
What stood out to me most was the diversity of lived experience in the room. Carers supporting loved ones with dementia, autism, and complex health needs came together, each bringing their own story, challenges, and resilience. It reinforced something I’ve long believed: carers often feel invisible in wider society, but in spaces like this, they are seen, heard, and valued.
The group is supported by organisations and professionals who are genuinely committed to reducing isolation and improving access to services. From digital inclusion to transport and community support, there’s a real effort to make sure carers are not left navigating the system alone
Sharing My Journey as a Mental Health Carer
As the invited speaker, I spoke from my own lived experience as a mental health carer. My journey began as a young carer supporting my mother, who developed schizophrenia, while also helping care for my brothers with non-verbal autism. Over the years, that experience has shaped not only my life, but my purpose.
During my talk, I shared:
The emotional reality of becoming a carer—often suddenly, without preparation
The confusion and isolation that can come with navigating mental health systems
The importance of recognising carers as partners in care, not just bystanders
The long-term impact on mental health, identity, and wellbeing
I also spoke about the concept of “lived experience”—something I feel strongly should be embedded in health and social care systems. If professionals are to truly understand and support carers, they need to hear directly from those who live it every day.
One of the key messages I left with the group was this: Carers are the hidden link that holds everything together. Without them, the system simply could not function.
This was taken from my poem off my book.
The Conversations of the group
What made the session particularly powerful wasn’t just the presentation, it was the discussion that followed. Carers openly spoke about:
Not knowing where to go for help
The complexity of accessing services
Feeling that outcomes often depend on how well you can advocate
The emotional toll of long-term caring
These are not small issues, they are systemic challenges. But spaces like this group allow those conversations to happen honestly, and more importantly, collectively.
Why Groups Like This Matter
The West Kent Paddock Wood Group is actually a lifeline to carers as it provides:
A supportive peer network
Access to information and local services
A platform for carers’ voices to be heard
A sense of belonging that many carers lack
For anyone who is caring for a loved one, especially in mental health, I cannot stress enough how important it is to connect with others who understand. You don’t have to do this alone.
Final Thoughts
Leaving the session, I felt both humbled and encouraged. Humbled by the strength of the carers in the room, and encouraged by the existence of a group that is actively working to support them.
If you are a carer in Kent, or even just exploring what support is available, I would strongly recommend attending the West Kent Paddock Wood Group. It is a space where your voice matters, your experience is valid, and your wellbeing is recognised.
For me, it was not just an opportunity to speak, it was an opportunity to connect, learn, and continue advocating for carers everywhere.
If you want to find out more about Kent County Council support for unpaid carers, see link below.
On this year’s Carers Rights Day 2025 (Thursday 20 November), the theme is “Know your rights, use your rights.”
If you care for someone, whether it’s a partner, parent, child or friend; you may be missing out on vital support simply because you didn’t realise you have rights as a carer.
In my new video I walk you through what those rights actually are, and how you can use them in practice.
In this video you’ll discover:
Why recognising yourself as a carer matters
Key rights every carer should know (from assessments to flexible working)
How to make use of those rights in your daily life
Where to go for help, guidance and support
Click the link, take two minutes, and empower yourself today.
By Matthew McKenzie – Carers UK Volunteer and Ambassador
On Friday 6 June, I had the pleasure of joining Carers Uk and fellow Carers UK volunteers at a picnic in St James’s Park, London a brilliant afternoon full of connection, recognition, and shared purpose. The weather managed to hold “Thank Goodness!”
As a Carers UK volunteer and ambassador, it was great to see so many familiar faces and meet new ones, all united by a commitment to supporting unpaid carers across the UK. The picnic was a chance for us to unwind, share stories, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the park.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was the volunteer awards recognising the time, energy, and dedication that so many of us give. It was humbling to stand alongside other passionate volunteers and celebrate each other’s contributions.
Volunteers’ Week is a vital opportunity to shine a light on the incredible work of volunteers across the country and to say thank you for the real difference they make every day.
Later in the day, we teamed up to distribute Carers UK membership resources around the area, helping to raise awareness and connect more carers to support. You can check the link below to find resources.
I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who helped organise the event and to those who brought food and drink. Moments like these remind us that we’re not alone in what we do as Carers – we’re part of a caring, committed community.
Hello everyone, it’s Matthew McKenzie here with another lecture aimed at unpaid carers. As you can see from the title, I’m in carer activist mode, which is basically what I am. And when I say carer, I’m talking about unpaid carers, those that care for someone living with a long-term illness. In this lecture, we will focus on effective ways for carers to lobby the government and create change.
To see the video lecture, see below.
Why Lobby Now?
Urgent Issues
You might be thinking, why am I making this sort of video now? The NHS is due to undergo significant changes, which will cause a lot of problems and challenges, especially for carers.
A Caring Mind 