During Carers Week 2018 we will be hosting a Poem-a-thon to raise awareness and funds to support Carers UK’s vital work  on campaigning for carers’ rights and providing information, support and advice to carers when they need it most.

The Poem-a-thon will feature 50 people reading on the theme of family, friends and caring for 6.5 minutes each non-stop for a total of 6.5 hours (signifying the 6.5 million carers in the UK).  The event will take place on 16 June in central London and the readers will include established poets, Carers UK members, supporters, staff, and contributors to our four creative writing anthologies.       

Across the UK today 6.5 million people are carers, supporting a loved one who is older, disabled or seriously ill.  That’s 1 in 8 adults who care, unpaid, for family and friends. Within our lifetime, there will be 9 million carers.  Every day 6,000 people become carers. Many don’t know how or where to get help. It can be frightening and very lonely.