Carers Week 2026: "The Community Hub has been a lifeline" • Cambridgeshire Acre

By Kari Payne, Village Agent, Cambridgeshire ACRE

Carers often tell me they do not think of themselves as carers. They are simply looking after a husband, wife, parent, sibling or friend. Yet many are providing significant support every day and do not realise help is available. During Carers Week 2026, I wanted to share Barbara’s story and highlight some of the support available through our Community Hubs and local partner organisations.

It’s Carers Week 2026: a chance to recognise the thousands of unpaid carers across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who make such a vital contribution to friends and families.

This year’s theme is Building Carer Friendly Communities, recognising that carers need support, understanding and opportunities to connect within the places where they live. And at Cambridgeshire ACRE, our network of Community Hubs across Fenland, East and South Cambridgeshire offers a safe and welcoming space for carers.

Many people do not recognise themselves as carers and may be missing out on support that could help them in their caring role. Our Village Agent team, Sophie, Lucille and Kari, work alongside carers every day, helping people access information, support and local services in their communities.

Barbara’s story shows how community based support can make a real difference to carers’ wellbeing and help them continue caring for loved ones at home.

Barbara*, 78, who attends one of our South Cambridgeshire hubs, is one of the UK’s 5.8million carers. She looks after her 80-year-old brother who has had a number of strokes and was also diagnosed last year with Parkinson’s Disease.

And she urges family carers to go to their local Community Hubs and seek support for themselves and the people they care for.

“I looked after Michael* after he came out of hospital as he couldn’t go back to his own place. It was supposed to be temporary but it’s been five years now.

“I came along to an event at my local Community Hub and got talking to our village agent about things at home. I was feeling very low and teary as I was struggling to cope physically and emotionally. I found Michael’s low moods and frustration very difficult to manage and I was really worried I couldn’t carry on.

“I felt so drained but I knew he wouldn’t survive in a care home. He’s been so independent in the past. So we were both finding things difficult and getting cross with one another. It all got too much.”

Our village agent provided information about care at home and also referred Barbara and Michael to Caring Together, a local charity which supports carers on behalf of the county council.

“He wasn’t happy to start with as he had got used to it just being me and didn’t want other people involved. But I got my confidence to explain things had to change and that I needed a break at times too, so I could keep looking after him at home,” said Barbara.

“We had to go through a few assessments and visits. But now we have a wonderful carer who comes in three times a week – she’s just so brilliant with my brother.

“Social care has also offered respite care, so I can take a proper break away and enjoy being looked after myself by my lovely god-daughter, knowing my brother is safe and being well cared for.”

Barbara and Michael also have an emergency What If plan in place, so if she is unable to look after him – perhaps due to sudden illness, accident or emergency – back up support is there to fill the gap.

“The Community Hub has really made such a difference to me. It’s actually been a lifeline.

“It’s helped me get support and it feels like a big weight has been lifted as I used to worry all the time.

“I’ve also made friends here and I can just nip down and have a coffee and a chat for an hour or so and take a break out of the house. I’ve also now got a lovely shopping buddy and we can go out for an hour or so to the shops or go for a drink.

“ I feel a different person.”

If you are looking after a family member, friend or neighbour and do not think of yourself as a carer, you are not alone. Many people provide unpaid care without recognising the support available to them. Reaching out for help early can make a significant difference.

*To protect the privacy of the individuals involved, names and identifying details have been changed.

Support for unpaid carers and families

Find full information on the Cambridgeshire County Council website about your rights as an unpaid carer, benefits and financial support and the What If plan. https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/adults/looking-after-someone

Across our area, the following organisations provide support to family carers: