This month, an open letter was sent by Dementia Carers Count to Helen Whately, Minister for Social Care, calling on the Minister to immediately public a long-term carers’ strategy. Carers UK and the other Carers Week charities had a similar call this summer in the run-up to Carers Week and our wish to see a National Carers Strategy remains our goal.

The letter calls for better identification of unpaid carers, recognising the different needs of people who are carers, raising awareness of carers’ rights, and ensuring carers have access to free, condition-specific support and learning opportunities at every stage of being a carer. The letter also points to the failures within the current system, and the impact this is having on unpaid carers, who inevitably shoulder the shortage of care, effectively filling the gaps left in the social care system.

If you would like to read the letter in its entirety, as well as add your name and support to it, it's available on the Dementia Carers Count website.