Oxfordshire County Council is marking Carers Week 2026 (8–14 June) by recognising the vital contribution unpaid carers make and highlighting the support available to them across the county.

Carers Week is a national awareness campaign led by Carers UK. This year’s theme, Building Carer Friendly Communities, highlights the importance of communities, workplaces and services working together so carers are identified early, listened to and supported.

There are an estimated 50,000 unpaid carers in Oxfordshire, caring for family members, friends or neighbours who are older, disabled or living with illness. While caring can be rewarding, it can also have a significant impact on their health, finances and employment.

Councillor Rebekah Fletcher, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Unpaid carers play a vital role in our communities, often providing support quietly and without recognition.

“Carers Week is an opportunity to thank carers for everything they do, raise awareness of the pressures they can face, and make sure they know where to turn for support.

“We are committed to working with partners to build more carer‑friendly communities across Oxfordshire, where carers are identified early, listened to, and supported to look after their own wellbeing alongside their caring roles.”

As part of Carers Week, the council will share information throughout the week to encourage people to seek support and to underline its commitment to being a carer‑friendly organisation and employer.

The council works closely with Carers Oxfordshire, which is commissioned to provide information, advice and support for unpaid carers across the county. This includes help to understand caring roles, access carers’ assessments, take breaks from caring and look after wellbeing.

Paul Ringer, Chief Executive of Age UK Oxfordshire, said: “Caring can be deeply rewarding but it can also be exhausting and isolating, especially when people feel they have to cope alone.

“Carers Week is an important opportunity to shine a light on the vital contribution those providing unpaid care make, and to work together alongside partners such as Oxfordshire County Council, to build more carer‑friendly communities where they feel seen, heard and properly supported.

“Through our work at Carers Oxfordshire, we see every day the difference that timely, local support can make.”

This work is underpinned by Oxfordshire’s all-age unpaid carers strategy, which was co‑produced with carers and voluntary and community sector partners. The strategy sets out practical commitments to:

• Identify carers earlier, including those who may not see themselves as carers.
• Ensure carers can easily find advice and support.
• Support carers’ health and wellbeing, including access to breaks and personal budgets where eligible.
• Help carers balance caring with work, education and everyday life.

As an employer, Oxfordshire County Council recognises that many colleagues balance work alongside caring responsibilities. The council supports working carers through flexible working arrangements and its internal carers’ network, which provides a supportive space for staff to connect and find out about help available inside and outside the organisation.

As part of the week’s activities, the council will host an all day Carers Week event at County Hall on Tuesday 9 June, open to colleagues who are carers and the people they care for, as well as allies and colleagues who want to find out more. Children and adults are welcome.

The event will provide a welcoming and inclusive space with information stands from Carers Oxfordshire, interactive sessions on developing new tools to support carers, informal networking and the opportunity to hear from Karen Fuller, chair of the carers’ network, and council colleagues working in areas such as wellbeing.

Carers and their families are encouraged to visit Carers Oxfordshire to find more out about local support. Information is also available through Live Well Oxfordshire.

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The latest statistics show there are more than two thousand unfilled posts in the region’s adult social care sector. Raj Sahota works for Oxfordshire County Council and aims to reduce these vacancies by offering free, one to one, independent support for people considering a career in care.

Raj said: “Working in adult social care is so flexible and varied. There’s a job and career out there for everyone but it can sometimes seem difficult to pinpoint exactly what that is.”

“That’s where I come in. People can contact me, ask me any questions, and I can support them to find their ideal role.”

Oxfordshire County Council is working in partnership with Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers to showcase the variety of roles on offer through the joint Proud to Care Oxfordshire website.

As well as a job search tool, the resource includes an email support service for potential applicants, which Raj manages, helping to match people to available positions and support them through the application process.

Raj said: “We’re really trying to highlight the variety of fantastic career and job opportunities that are available within adult social care. It’s not all about personal care. There are jobs available in kitchens and maintenance, as well as administrative roles.”

“I can help by answering any questions as well as offering tailored support, including reworking CVs and giving advice on interview techniques.”

Over the coming weeks, Oxfordshire County Council will be releasing several “Ask Raj” videos on social media, sharing his hints and tips about ways into the care industry, as well as answering the frequently asked questions he receives, including: Do I need any qualifications? Do I need a car? And what qualities do I need for a career in care?

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “We have an aging population with increasingly complex health and care needs and we need a talented workforce to help support people, across a variety of roles.

“Raj offers a unique service, helping people who are just starting out in their careers in care and I would urge anyone considering joining the sector to get in touch with him to find out more.”

Raj can be contacted by email on p2capplicant.support@oxfordshire.gov.uk, after which, a follow up conversation can be arranged.

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Having worked his way up through a variety of roles in the care sector, the 52 year old is now chief executive at Oxfordshire based care provider Style Acre.

Chris is hoping to inspire others to follow in his footsteps during Professional Care Workers' Week (18 to 22 September), supporting Oxfordshire County Council’s strategy to strengthen and develop the local care workforce.

After completing a law degree and having a brief flirtation with accountancy, Chris began his career in social care as a trainee support worker in 1994. Since then, he has climbed the professional ladder, taking on roles including support manager, area manager and director of operations at three established, not for profit, care organisations.

In 2015, he became the CEO at Style Acre – a charity that supports around 300 adults with learning disabilities and autism in Oxfordshire. The organisation offers a range of person-centred support, from 24-hour care for those with complex learning, health or physical disabilities to a few hours support each week for those who live more independently.

Style Acre is part of Oxfordshire County Council’s network of care providers, playing a pivotal role in the adult social care Oxfordshire Way vision, supporting people to live well and as independently as possible within their own communities.

For Chris, the longevity of his career in care has all been about the people. Not only the people he’s supported, but also the teams he’s worked with.

Chris said: “I joined Style Acre as chief executive in October 2015 and can honestly say it’s the best job I have ever had. It is a real privilege to work alongside such a dedicated, enthusiastic and caring group of people. It is also unbelievably rewarding to see the impact our support has on people’s lives.”

Chris is one of around 18,000 care workers in Oxfordshire, although the latest statistics suggest there are 1,800 unfilled posts in the sector locally. As part of this year’s Professional Care Workers' Week, Chris and the council hope to raise awareness of the multitude of good career opportunities available in the caring profession.

Chris said: “There’s no single route into caring, and it is not always seen as a career. Apprenticeships offer a way to earn as you learn with on the job training and a guaranteed pay cheque. This also gives you the chance to see what positions are available and potentially progress to other roles if you wish.”

“Alternatively, there are many transferable skills that you can bring from other professions into caring - you might have experience in hospitality or food preparation for example – we’re a multi-skilled sector welcoming diversity and offering job satisfaction and career progression.” 

Alongside his role at Style Acre, Chris is on the board of directors at Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers (OACP), an organisation that supports people who work in the caring sector in the county.

OACP has worked closely with the county council to develop a new website, Proud to Care Oxfordshire, aimed at bringing more people into caring positions. The resource highlights the broad range of jobs available in the care sector as well as providing a free platform for care providers to advertise any opportunities they have available.

There’s also local information on support services, funding and initiatives to help people get into work and apprenticeships, supporting their development and training.

For Chris, his career in care has given him the chance to follow his passion, helping to bring communities together.

Chris said: “I am passionate about people having the opportunity to play an active part in their community and striving to fulfil their potential in life, irrespective of their disability. It is a truly diverse career and although it may be a cliché, every day is different and every day has a purpose and a meaning.

“We all require support through life and I believe that it is important to provide that support in a way that is right for each individual and in a way that gives the person receiving the support the choice, control and dignity that they deserve. I believe Style Acre does this really well and it’s a privilege to work here, we also have a huge amount of fun!”

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “I have been lucky enough to see first hand the difference Chris and the team at Style Acre are making to the people they support.

“Hearing how Chris has been able to develop his career in care while dedicating his life to supporting others, is an inspirational example of what’s possible in the caring profession.

“I hope more people consider following in his footsteps.”

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Proud to Care Oxfordshire has been developed by Oxfordshire County Council in partnership with Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers (OACP). The website highlights the broad range of jobs available in the care sector as well as providing a free platform for care providers to advertise any opportunities they have available.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Care workers are the lifeblood of our social care system and it’s no secret that we need more people to take up these important roles both nationally and here in Oxfordshire.

“As a council, it’s our job to help develop and maintain a local sustainable care market and this resource will play an important part by allowing providers to advertise their opportunities and for job hunters to find their ideal position all in the same place.”

As well as a job search tool, the resource includes an email service for potential applicants, helping to match people to available positions and support them through the process.

The website also highlights the breadth of caring positions on offer in Oxfordshire, including interviews with people like Mariana Bernardo, who are already doing the job and explaining why they enjoy it.

Mariana is a community support worker for Witney community support service and says: “Being a carer definitely changes lives, not just for us but for the people we support. The team is amazing, everyone supports each other. I wouldn’t change anything!”

The site also provides local information on support services, funding and initiatives to help people get into work and apprenticeships, supporting their development and training.

Eddy McDowall, Chief Executive of OACP, said: “It’s really important that we attract new people into the care sector.

“Caring is one of the most varied and rewarding professions you can be a part of and welcomes people from a wide range of backgrounds and experience. There is a position out there for everyone!”

The website is now live and can be found at proudtocareoxfordshire.org.uk

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