A special week of events will celebrate and support the work of carers across Dorset.

Running from today, the daily activities are part of Carers Week 2025, focusing on the theme of 'Caring about Equality'.

The aim of the initiative is to raise awareness of the support available for unpaid carers and to encourage those not currently receiving assistance to seek help.

The week will begin with a focus on health and care, followed by financial wellbeing, work and employment, younger carers, older carers, and mental health and wellbeing.

It will conclude on Sunday with reflections on Carers Week.

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Councillor Steve Robinson, cabinet member for adult social care, said: "I am delighted that Dorset Council, as a member of the Dorset Carers Partnership Group, is involved in the 2025 Carers Week campaign. Carers should be truly valued, recognised and supported.

"Carers are amazing people, but they don’t always see that they are carers as they don’t think of themselves in that way. There are no hard and fast rules with this, it’s not about what you do in your caring role or for how long you do it. Putting it simply, if you are helping someone who can't manage without you, then you are a carer.

"I hope as many people as possible will show their support, get involved, and that carers will make the most of the events and support on offer to them."

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The events, organised by various organisations across Dorset, range from workshops and drop-in sessions to cream teas, walks and music-inspired events.

Carers can find out where the events are taking place by visiting ourdorset.org.uk/carers-week-2025/.

A carer can be anyone of any age, whether in paid work or not, who supports a friend or family member due to their illness, disability, frailty, mental health or substance misuse.

They are not paid for the care they undertake; however, they may claim benefits such as Carers Allowance, but this is not always the case.

According to the latest census figures, there are an estimated 35,505 unpaid carers across the Dorset Council area, with 6.8 per cent providing up to 50 hours unpaid care a week.