Reflecting on Carers Week: Creating Carer Friendly Health Settings Across Birmingham

Carers Week 2026 was an excellent opportunity to celebrate the incredible work being done by Carers right across Birmingham.

As the dust settles, it’s also a good time to reflect on the conversations, partnerships and progress taking place across Birmingham’s health and care system.

Throughout June, Forward Carers Health Liaison Service supported Carer Friendly Health activity alongside the University Hospitals Birmingham Carer Support Team.

This work builds on activity delivered throughout the year including staff Carer events with Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

This is in addition to GP Practice Carer Groups, Awareness Sessions and Community Drop-ins.

A key message has shone through: many people do not realise they are a Carer until someone asks the question.

This is why recognition within health settings matters.

Whether supporting a patient on a ward, attending appointments with the person they care for, or accessing healthcare for themselves, staff are in a unique position to help Carers come forward and self-identify.

By empowering staff to ask the question, we create opportunities for Carers to be connected to support sooner.

Carer Champion Health Programme

A particular highlight of the recent work has been the continued growth of the Carer Champion Health Programme.

From February-June, 93 NHS staff from services across Birmingham completed Carer Champion training. This strengthens Carer awareness and embeds more Carer Friendly practice across local health services.

Feedback from participants highlights the impact:

“Very informative training. I think it will help me within my role and will help me to help my colleagues to signpost patients to your services.”
— Care Coordinator

“This training enabled me to understand a whole new world of support for unpaid Carers.”
— Practice Assistant

Creating Carer Friendly Communities is not about one event or one week. It is about creating lasting culture change where Carers are routinely identified, valued and supported to maintain their own wellbeing.

Thank you to every NHS colleague, Carer Champion, staff network lead, GP practice and partner organisation who continues to champion unpaid Carers across Birmingham.