This National Carers Week, we’re recognising the role unpaid carers play within the wider system that enables people to live independently and remain connected to their communities.

Across our services, we see every day how often transport and access to services depend on informal, unpaid support.

A husband supporting his wife to attend appointments.

A daughter helping her father get out and stay active.

A neighbour checking in and providing practical support.

Volunteers enabling people to travel safely and reliably.

While these roles are often informal and largely unseen, they are a critical part of the community infrastructure that supports health, wellbeing and independence at local level.

We work alongside unpaid carers, local organisations and volunteers across Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster to help ensure that older people and people with disabilities can access essential services, social activities and community life.

This interconnected system of formal provision and informal support is what allows many people to remain active and independent for longer, and Carers Week offers an opportunity to acknowledge that contribution, and its role in sustaining demand on wider health and social care services.