Beyond Carers Week: Building carer-friendly communities across West Sussex
As Carers Week draws to a close, we’ve been reflecting on how Carers Support West Sussex (CSWS) has supported this year’s theme of building carer-friendly communities. Looking back, we realised this commitment extends far beyond the 30 events we delivered during the week itself. Our Impact Report 2025–26 highlights how, throughout the previous year, we continued to strengthen support for carers and communities across West Sussex.
Building carer friendly communities has never been more important.
Across the UK, around 5.8 million people provide unpaid care for a loved one, contributing an estimated £184 billion to the economy every year.
Research shows that 43% of current or former carers have developed, or seen a worsening of, a physical or mental health condition since taking on a caring role, while many experience social isolation and financial pressures. Creating communities where carers are recognised, understood and supported can make a real difference, helping carers maintain their own health and wellbeing while continuing the invaluable role they play in the lives of others.
(Data sources: Carers UK, Carers Trust and The Guardian)
What makes a community carer friendly?
According to the organisers of the annual Carers Week campaign, Carers UK, carer friendly communities are places, spaces, services and community groups where unpaid carers are recognised, understood, and valued. They make support part of everyday life ensuring carers get the opportunities and help they need. They are made up of people who:
- recognise unpaid carers and the vital role they play
- understand the realities and impact of caring
- take action to identify and support carers in practical ways
- empower carers to live fulfilling lives
Supporting carers across West Sussex
So how does the CSWS Impact Report demonstrate commitment to building carer-friendly communities across West Sussex? Being embedded in West Sussex means being present in the places, services and networks that carers already use. Carers Support has always made a deliberate effort to strengthen our community presence across the county, ensuring carers can access support in ways that feel local, familiar and accessible.
CSWS Chief Executive, Caroline Pope, highlights this in her introduction to the Impact Report:
“As carers balance the demands of their caring role alongside other responsibilities, it is important that support is available in ways that work for them. This year, the launch of our Carer Portal marked an important step in strengthening our digital offer, giving carers greater flexibility to access information, guidance and support at a time that suits them.
At the same time, we know that digital services are not right for everyone. Our network of carer hubs and groups continues to provide valuable opportunities for carers to connect with our wellbeing team and access support within their local communities. Together, our digital and face-to-face services help ensure carers can reach us in the way that best meets their needs, wherever they are in West Sussex.”
The impact of this approach is reflected in carers’ feedback:
97% of carers said the services were easy to access.
92% of carers said the support provided helped them to feel less stressed about their caring situation.
Find out more about our services
If you’re an unpaid carer and would like to learn more about the support available, visit: Our Services
Read our Impact Report 2025–26
To learn more about the difference CSWS has made to carers’ lives across West Sussex, read our latest Impact Report:
www.carerssupport.org.uk/impact-report/
Get in touch
Call our Helpline on 0300 028 8888 or email info@carerssupport.org.uk
