Supporting carers this Carers Week

This week (8th – 14th June), we're supporting Carers Week. 

Across our communities, thousands of people provide unpaid care for a loved one. They help family members, friends and neighbours live independently, often alongside work, family life and other responsibilities of their own.

National Carers Week shines a light on the important role carers play and helps people access the support available to them. This year's theme is Building Carer Friendly Communities.

At North Star, we know that many of our customers and colleagues have caring responsibilities. That's why we're committed to creating an environment where carers feel recognised, supported and valued.

To mark the week, we're hosting We Care, You Care who are running online sessions with staff, helping our teams learn more about the support available to carers and how they can signpost customers to local services and organisations.

We're also proud to be a flexible-working organisation. We understand that caring responsibilities don't fit neatly into a working day, so we support colleagues with the flexibility they need to balance work and caring commitments, whether that's attending appointments, adjusting working hours or being available at home when they're needed most. 

How do I know if I'm a carer?

Many people don't think of themselves as carers.

You might see yourself as a husband, wife, partner, parent, child, sibling, friend or neighbour simply helping someone you care about. But if someone relies on you for support, you may be a carer. 

This support can take many forms, including:

·       Helping with personal care or day-to-day tasks

·       Providing emotional support

·       Managing medication or appointments

·       Helping with finances or paperwork

·       Supporting someone with a disability, illness, mental health condition or addiction

There are many different types of carers, including: 

Young carer – Someone under 18 who helps care for a family member because of illness, disability or addiction.

Parent carer – A parent who cares for a child with additional needs or a disability.

Sandwich carer – An adult who cares for both an ageing parent and dependent children.

Kinship carer – Someone who looks after a child because their parents are unable to do so.

Working carer – Someone who balances paid employment with caring responsibilities. 

I think I'm a carer – how can I access support?

Looking after someone can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging. It's important to remember that support is available, and you don't have to manage everything on your own. 

A good first step is to complete a carer's assessment. 

This isn't a test of your ability as a carer. It's an opportunity to talk about how caring affects your life and find out what help and support may be available to you. 

To request an assessment, contact Adult Social Care at the local council of the person you care for. If you care for a child with additional needs, contact your local children's services department. 

You can find out more on the Carers UK website: Carer's assessment | Carers UK

Carers UK also provides advice and support on topics including finances, wellbeing, employment and caring responsibilities. 

South Tees Carers Pledge and Activities 

We've signed the South Tees Carers Pledge and are sharing information, resources and support with our staff to help ensure carers get the help they need. 

Small actions can make a big difference. Whether it's checking in on someone with caring responsibilities, sharing information about available support or simply recognising the contribution carers make every day, we can all help build more carer-friendly communities. 

You can find out more about the pledge and commit to a small action by visiting the We Care, You Care website: South Tees Carers Pledge 2026 | We Care You Care

Throughout the week, support sessions and activities are taking place across Teesside: Carers Week 2026 | We Care You Care