Carers Week: 8th-14th June 2026
Every June, Carers Week shines a light on the millions of people who provide unpaid care to friends, family members and loved ones. It raises awareness of the realities of caring, highlights the challenges Carers face, and helps people who may not see themselves as Carers to recognise their role and access much‑needed support.
This year’s theme, Building Carer Friendly Communities, focuses on the power of everyday places and people to make life better for Carers.
What are Carer Friendly Communities?
Carer friendly communities:
- are places where unpaid Carers are recognised, understood and valued
- weave support into daily life, rather than expecting Carers to cope alone
- are shaped by people and organisations who recognise the vital role Carers play, understand the
- realities of caring, and take practical steps to help
- empower Carers to live fulfilling lives alongside their caring responsibilities.
Carer friendly communities can exist anywhere Carers live, work, study or spend time. Small changes can make a big difference.
- Businesses and services can offer flexibility or priority access.
- Community groups and faith organisations can create opportunities for Carers to stay connected.
- Schools, colleges and universities can identify Young Carers early and provide tailored support.
- Health services, social care teams and employers can all play their part.
Get your communities involved
Each of us belongs to different communities, from social circles, hobby groups and exercise classes to workplaces, community groups and places of worship. Highlighting small changes that make it easier for carers to access support, or sharing ways communities can recognise unpaid carers, can help shift attitudes and open doors to change. Together, we can build communities where supporting Carers is second nature.
What’s On in Carers Week
Click on any event to find out more and register to attend, or visit our What’s On page for full event listings.
Monday 8th June
- Aromatherapy Workshop | 10am – 12pm, Stirling Carers Centre
- Walking Group | 10.30am – 12pm, King’s Park
- Online Yoga | 3.45pm – 4.30pm, online via Zoom
Tuesday 9th June
- Information Day | 10am-2pm, Bannockburn & Eastern Villages Community Hub
- Carers’ Voice: Rural Area | 10.30am – 12pm, online via Zoom
- Carers’ Voice: Urban Area | 6pm – 8pm, Stirling Carers Centre
Wednesday 10th June
- Rural Yoga | 9.30-10.30am, Killearn Village Hall
- Killearn Group Art Workshop | 12pm – 2pm, Killearn Village Hall
- Mad Hatter’s Tea Party | 1.30pm – 3.30pm, Braehead Community Garden
- Parent Carers: Multisport Session | 4.30pm – 5.30pm, The Peak
Thursday 11th June
- SDS Forth Valley: Carer’s Pathway Presentation | 10am – 11.30am
- Gardening Group | 11am-12pm, Braehead Community Garden
- Stirling Sunshine Singers | 11am-12.30pm, The Albert Halls, Stirling
- Bannockburn Heritage Centre Tour | 1.30pm – 5pm, Bannockburn
- Parent Carers: Jump ‘n’ Joy | 5.30-7.30pm, Jump ‘n’ Joy, Tullibody
Friday 12th June
- Rural Yoga | 9.30-10.30am, Killearn Village Hall
- Chair Yoga | 1.30pm – 3pm, Riverside Bowling Club
- Rural Carers Catch Up | 2pm – 3.30pm, Trust Housing, Callander
All Week
Free Leisure Centre Access
Thanks to Active Stirling (Stirling), McLaren Leisure (Callander) & Bellrock (Balfron) for once again offering free access to leisure facilities* for Carers during Carers Week. See below for activities and how to claim your free access.
The Peak, Stirling
- Free access to:
- Swimming
- Fitness classes
- Pickleball
- Basketball Hoop Hire
- Ice Skating
- Badminton
- Access by a letter from Stirling Carers Centre
- Pre-booking advised – details in the letter.
Balfron Community Sports Complex
- Free access to:
- Swimming
- Badminton (call 01360 440940 to book in advance)
- Fitness suite (on completion of a fitness questionnaire and proof of competence)
- Access by a letter from Stirling Carers Centre or show your Forth Valley Carers Card
McLaren Leisure Centre
- Free access to:
- Swimming pool
- Sauna
- Steam room
- Access by a letter from Stirling Carers Centre. You will be provided with a code to use when booking.
*Subject to availability.
Visit www.carersweek.org for more information on how you can get involved.