The Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Partnership is supporting this year's Carers Week, held from 9-15 June.
A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who, due to physical or mental illness, disability or an addiction cannot cope without their support. You do not need to be in receipt of carers allowance to be recognised as an unpaid carer.
The week is an opportunity to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face, and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities across 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.
In particular, carers, local businesses, and other supporters are being invited to focus on the challenges and inequalities experienced by unpaid carers, calling for a fairer society where they have access to greater support.
Support for unpaid carers
If you think you're an unpaid carer, but are not getting the support you need, advice and information is available as follows:
- The Borders Carers Centre website provides advice, information and guidance on what support is available to help you maintain your caring role. You can phone them directly on 01896 752431. The Carers Centre is commissioned by the Health and Social Care Partnership.
- Advice about support for young carers in the Borders is available on our website.
- Information about national support for carers can be found on the NHS inform website. You can also call them on 0800 011 3200 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm).
- Visit the Carers UK website for more advice and information.
Councillor Tom Weatherston, Executive Member for Social Work and Community Enhancement
“Across the UK, an estimated 5.8 million people are unpaid carers—individuals who step in to support loved ones with illness, disability, or addiction, often without recognition or support. That’s nearly one in nine people, quietly holding families and communities together. In Scotland alone, over 627,000 people are providing unpaid care.
“These figures highlight not just the scale of caring, but the urgent need to ensure carers are seen, supported, and valued every day—not just during Carers Week. This is our moment to say: we see you; we value you, and we are here for you. No one should have to care alone, and we’re committed to making sure every carer in the Borders knows where to turn for help, hope, and support.”
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK
"Carers Week 2025 is a crucial opportunity to raise awareness, highlighting those who provide essential care to family members, friends or neighbours who need it most. We want to see a future where carers have the right support and the same opportunities to lead healthy and financially secure lives alongside their caring role.
“Individuals, employers, businesses, schools, health, and care services can make a difference by coming together to highlight the importance of ‘Caring about Equality’. With all parts of the community involved, we can work together for an equal society, where carers are recognised, valued, and supported.”
More information
- Living Well in the Scottish Borders - A Plan for Adult Unpaid Carers 2024-28 is the Health and Social Care Partnership’s strategic plan for carers, which sets out a clear vision and approach on how the Partnership aims to meet their commitment to supporting unpaid carers over the next four years by, for example, focusing on carer identification and recognition and the provision of information, advice and communication for carers. Download Living Well in the Scottish Borders from our website.
- Carers Week 2025 is organised by Carers UK, alongside charity supporters Age UK, Carers Trust, MND Association, Oxfam GB, Rethink Mental Illness, the ME Association and the Lewy Body Society. Together, the eight charities are welcoming individuals and organisations to join them in raising awareness, to increase visibility for carers with decision makers, services, employers, communities, and businesses.