Carers Trust

The UK’s Largest Network of Support for Unpaid Carers — Including Families and Young Carers

Who It’s For: Unpaid carers of all ages across the UK — including parents caring for a disabled or seriously ill child, young carers aged 5–25 caring for a family member, and families navigating the financial and practical pressures of caring. Support is delivered locally through a network of over 125 Network Partner organisations across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

What They Offer: Carers Trust is the largest network of organisations in the UK specialising in support and wellbeing for unpaid carers. Rather than delivering all services centrally, Carers Trust works through its local Network Partners who provide face-to-face support, benefits advice, grants, respite, group support, young carers clubs and school-based programmes in communities across the country. Nationally, Carers Trust provides a benefits calculator, grants information, financial guidance and a comprehensive online resource hub. They also run the Carers Fund — a grants programme delivered through local Network Partners that provides direct financial assistance to unpaid carers in need.

Support Includes:

• Local Network Partners — face-to-face advice, support and services for carers in communities across the UK
• Carers Fund grants — financial grants for carers experiencing hardship, applied for through your local Network Partner
• Online benefits calculator — free tool to check benefit entitlements for carers and the people they care for
• Carer Money Matters — dedicated financial guidance, advice and resources on managing money and energy costs as a carer
• Information and guidance on Carer’s Allowance, grants, discounts and other financial entitlements
• Young carers support — clubs, mentoring, school-based programmes and whole-family work for young people aged 5–25 with caring responsibilities
• Young Carers Alliance — network of over 290 organisations committed to improving outcomes for young carers and their families
• Respite and short breaks — through local Network Partners, providing carers with time away from caring
• Group support and social activities — reducing isolation for carers of all ages
• Campaigning and policy advocacy for better recognition and support for unpaid carers nationally

Referral / Access: Self-referral. No referral needed. Use the Find Support in Your Area tool on the website to locate your nearest Carers Trust Network Partner. Note that some Network Partners may require carers to register with their service before applying for a Carers Fund grant, and some may have waiting lists. Contact the national office by email for general enquiries.

Why This Matters: Caring for a disabled or seriously ill child — or growing up as a young carer — can have a profound impact on a family’s finances, health and opportunities. Carers Trust exists to make sure that impact is not faced alone. Whether you need a small grant to cover an unexpected cost, a local group where you can breathe for an hour, or a club where your young carer child can just be a child for a while, Carers Trust’s network of local partners is there to help — in your community, in your language, at your pace.