Sunderland shines a light on carers this Carers Week

From Monday, June 8, until Sunday, June 14, landmarks across the city, including Northern Spire, Fulwell Mill, Cliffe Park Lighthouse and Keel Square, will be lit up in blue to mark the dedication of carers and to celebrate the difference they make to the lives of those they care for.

This marks Carers Week, an annual awareness campaign that celebrates and recognises the contribution of unpaid carers.

Councillor Jonathon Emerson, Sunderland City Council's cabinet member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Services, said: "Carers Week gives us the opportunity to recognise and thank our city's unpaid carers for the fantastic work they do and the tremendous contributions they make to Sunderland.

"Every carer's experience is different, and some may not even think of themselves as carers, but anyone who looks after someone with an illness or disability, who would not be able to manage without this help, is classed as a carer and is able to access support.

"We want unpaid carers to know that help is available to support them."

The Carers Week theme for 2026 is Building Carer Friendly Communities, to promote unpaid carers being recognised and supported by their families, communities and society.

Any adult in Sunderland aged 18 or over who looks after someone with day-to-day tasks is entitled to a carer's assessment to help them access valuable information and support tailored to their needs.

For more information on the self-assessment tool, Mobilise, and other support available, see https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/carers.