It’s Carers Week, a chance to celebrate books from those who do so much for our society. Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

The week aims to highlight the challenges faced by carers, promote their well-being, and advocate for better support and recognition from society and the government. Various activities, events, and initiatives are organised during Carers Week to provide information, resources, and opportunities for carers to connect with others facing similar experiences.

This list is dedicated to my partner, who is an unpaid carer.

Read the article I wrote: A love letter to the UK’s 5 million invisible caregivers on National Carers Week – including my partner – NationalWorld

Books to celebrate Carers Week:

Here are some books dedicated to the hardworking carers out there:

• 📚 Tender: The Imperfect Art of Caring by Penny Wincer. The book offers a profound exploration of the complexities and significance of caregiving.
• 📚 The Selfish Pig’s Guide to Caring by Hugh Marriott. Marriot’s work provides a practical and insightful perspective on the challenges and needs of caregivers.
• 📚 What I wish people knew about Dementia by Wendy Mitchell. Mitchell offers a personal and enlightening account, fostering understanding and empathy.
• 📚 An Extra Pair of Hands: A Story of Caring and Everyday Acts of Love by Kate Mosse. This book beautifully captures the power of caregiving and the profound impact of everyday acts of love.
• 📚 Labours of Love: The Crisis of Care by Madeleine Bunting. The book explores the pressing crisis of care, shedding light on the hidden labour and its societal implications.
• 📚 Dear Life: A Doctor’s Story of Love, Loss and Consolation by Rachel Clarke. Clarke offers a poignant account of a doctor’s experiences, encompassing love, loss, and the solace found in caring for others.
• 📚 The Fragments of my Father: A memoir of madness, love and being a carer by Sam Mills. This is a compelling memoir exploring madness, love, and the challenges of being a caregiver.

Overall, Carers Week UK is essential for shining a spotlight on carers’ contributions, addressing their needs, and working towards a society that values and supports the vital role they play in the lives of those they care for. Check out episode 12 on kindness where I spoke to author Gill Hasson.