Tag Archives: carers uk 60th anniversary

Equality: Today and Tomorrow — Reflections from the Mary Webster Lecture

By Matthew McKenzie – Carer activist (volunteer of Carers UK)

Last night I attended the Mary Webster Lecture at Apothecaries’ Hall in London, a special event marking Carers UK’s 60th anniversary. As someone who has cared for family members and now volunteers with Carers UK, it was moving to sit among other carers, professionals, and campaigners who have worked so hard for recognition and equality.

The event honoured Reverend Mary Webster, the founder of Carers UK, whose vision decades ago helped lay the foundations for unpaid carers’ rights. Today, as we still fight for equality and understanding, her legacy feels more important than ever.

Setting the Scene

Apothecaries’ Hall is a grand, historic space filled with portraits and a sense of tradition. But it also felt like the right place to discuss change how we can build a future where carers are respected and supported equally. The evening began with warm welcomes and reflections from Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK. She reminded us that while progress has been made, many unpaid carers still live in poverty, often earning less than the minimum wage for full-time dedication.

Then came the highlight of the evening a talk by The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London and recently named Archbishop of Canterbury Designate, in conversation with Baroness Jill Pitkeathley OBE, long-time carer champion and former Carers UK CEO.

Dignity in Caring

Bishop Sarah spoke with warmth and honesty about her journey from nursing to the Church. What struck me most was her story about washing her grandmother’s feet when she was a young nurse, which a simple act that carried deep dignity. She used that image to describe caring itself: often quiet, unseen, but filled with compassion and humanity.

Her message was clear that care is about dignity. Every person, regardless of ability, age, or background, has value. She reminded us that dependency isn’t weakness it’s part of being human. We all depend on others at different points in our lives.

As a Black male carer, that message really resonated. In many of our communities, caring happens quietly, often behind closed doors, without recognition or support. Bishop Sarah’s words reminded me that this invisible work deserves to be seen and respected not just by policy makers, but by society as a whole.

Lessons on Equality and Faith

Baroness Pitkeathley joined Bishop Sarah for a deep conversation about equality today and tomorrow. They reflected on how far carers’ rights have come and how far we still have to go. From health and financial struggles to workplace inequality, many of the same challenges from the 1990s remain today.

Bishop Sarah also spoke about the Church’s Reimagining Care Commission, which calls for a new “covenant of care” a moral agreement between government, communities, and families to share responsibility for those who need care. It’s not just about services, but about values: compassion, respect, and community.

Hearing that from someone soon to become the Archbishop of Canterbury gave me hope. It felt like a recognition that faith, ethics, and social justice must go hand in hand.

Voices from the Floor

The Q&A that followed was emotional and powerful. Carers from the audience spoke up about their struggles housing, mental health, disability, and the loneliness that caring can bring.

One carer shared the pain of fighting for proper housing for her disabled son; another spoke about the toll on her own health. Each voice reminded me that caring is more than statistics it’s real people doing extraordinary things every day, often without support.

My Reflection as a Black Carer Activist

As I looked around the room, I thought of the carers in Black and ethnic minority communities who face extra barriers language, stigma, or fear of not being understood. Too often, our voices are missing from the conversation. I decided to have a chat with Dame Sarah Mullally about my thoughts, still nights like this show that inclusion is possible, and necessary.

Equality for carers means also recognising our diversity on different cultures, faiths, and family structures and ensuring that every carer can access the help they need, without judgement or struggle.

I left the event feeling encouraged but also challenged. Encouraged by the leadership and compassion of women like Bishop Sarah and Baroness Pitkeathley, who continue to champion carers’ rights. Challenged, because the journey isn’t over and each of us, whatever our background, has a role to play.

A Call for Tomorrow

Sixty years after Mary Webster founded Carers UK, unpaid carers are still holding society together.

We save the country billions, yet too many of us live in hardship. As Bishop Sarah said, we must rethink how we value care not as a cost, but as a cornerstone of our humanity.

For me, as a carer activist, that means continuing to speak up, share stories, and bring carers from all communities together. Because equality today and tomorrow starts with being seen, heard, and valued.

Celebrating Poetry, Caring and Community at the Southbank Centre

By Matthew McKenzie – Carers UK volunteer & Ambassador

As a poet and carer of lived experienced, I always try and listen to other poets when I get the chance.

So on Tuesday 19 August 2025, I had the pleasure of attending the Carers UK Poetry Competition 2025 Celebration at the National Poetry Library, located on Level 5 of the Royal Festival Hall at London’s Southbank Centre.

Carers UK staff were welcoming guests, carers and poets who contributed to the Carers UK Poetry anthology to the event.

The event, hosted by Carers UK and led by Michael Shann, Head of Carer Support, which marked a very special milestone: the organisation’s 60th anniversary. It was an evening of reflection, creativity, and celebration, bringing together carers, poets, supporters, and friends to honour the voices of those who care for others.

For the year 2025, the poetry competition was themed “Caring, Family and Community”, with more than 270 entries submitted from across the country. The anthology launched on the night, Caring, Family and Community, where beautiful collection of poems capturing the emotions, challenges, and deep humanity at the heart of caring.

The programme included readings of winning, highly commended, and shortlisted poems. The anthology also features a preface by Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, and a foreword by Cheryl Moskowitz, Lead Competition Judge 2025.

The atmosphere at the National Poetry Library was warm and I was welcomed by many of the Carers UK team including Carers Scotland. Guests and poets enjoyed celebratory drinks and canapés while engaging in conversations about poetry, caring, and the power of creative expression.

The poetry book itself is thoughtfully arranged, beginning with featured poems before moving on to the winning, highly commended, and shortlisted entries, and ending with notes on the contributors. The poets performed their poems, each highlighting a different perspective on caring, family, and community, weaving together diverse voices into a powerful collective story.

One poem that particularly stood out to me was “Heart & Soul” by Alison Hull.

Heart and Soul
by Alison Hull

Even though it’s new to me,
I’m going to write a poem.
I don’t know what to write,
Or where it’s even going.
But what I’m very clear of,
Is you’ve taught me like no other.
You make me very proud,
To be your carer and your mother.
We laugh at times and cry so much,
And we’ve learnt a thing or two.
I’ve met your needs, calmed your fears,
Taken care of you.
Little by little we get things done,
Although it isn’t always easy.
We take small steps, sometimes none,
Resting up,
If needs be.
Your bravery inspires me,
Your love for animals too.
I try to understand,
how life really is for you.
The caring role’s a huge one,
It can be isolating too.
It helps to connect with others,
Who know what we’re going through.
So this is the end of my poem,
But not of my caring role.
That journey will continue,
With all of my heart and soul.

When Alison recited it that evening, I felt it was clear that she spoke from the heart. Her words captured the tenderness and strength of caring. I felt the poem was well crafted.

For me personally, as a Carers UK volunteer and poet, it was inspiring to see how words can bring people together and shine a light on the experiences of carers.

Being able to attend, listen, and celebrate alongside others who share a passion for both caring and poetry was a privilege, so I was very thankful to be invited.

The Southbank Centre, with its iconic Royal Festival Hall, provided the perfect backdrop a cultural hub alive with creativity and community spirit.

Events like this remind us not only of the importance of caring, but also of the importance of telling our stories. Poetry gives voice to what can sometimes be invisible, and Carers UK continues to ensure those voices are heard.

I’d like to thank Michael Shann and the Carers UK team for organising such a meaningful evening, and for their ongoing commitment to supporting carers across the UK.

If any carers would like a copy of the anthology, they can email membership@carersuk.org

Here’s the updated section with the official website link included:

Becoming a Member of Carers UK

If you are a carer yourself, one of the most valuable steps you can take is to become a member of Carers UK. Membership is free and open to anyone caring for a family member, friend, or neighbour. By joining, you’ll gain access to:

  • A supportive community of carers who truly understand what you’re going through.
  • Regular updates, newsletters, and information on carers’ rights and support.
  • Invitations to events, workshops, and opportunities to share your story.
  • Resources and guidance to help you manage the challenges of caring.

Carers UK is not just an organisation as it’s a lifeline for many. By becoming a member, you can feel more connected, supported, and empowered in your caring role.

You can sign up easily via the Carers UK website: www.carersuk.org