Richmond Carers Strategy

This strategy sets out our priorities for the next five years.

About the strategy

More than three in five of us will become unpaid carers at some point in our lives and many of us won’t immediately recognise the impact it is having on our lives. Caring needs to be recognised and valued. Carers should find it simple and easy to interact with health and care systems. They should be able to access the information, advice and support they need. They should have an opportunity to have a life outside their caring role.

This strategy draws on the views, learning, experiences, ideas, and aspirations of unpaid carers and young carers and the services that work with them. It sets out our priorities for the next five years. By tackling these together, we can help local residents caring for their loved ones feel that they live in a local borough that is recognising their role and supporting them to access the support they need.

Read the Richmond Carers Strategy 2020-25 (pdf, 3.8 MB)

Carers and Young Carers Charter

To best support people with caring responsibilities of all ages, in 2026 we have built on the Richmond Carers Strategy by coproducing a Carers and Young Carers Charter. Expanding upon the strategy's four pillars, the Charter has been developed using carers’ own words and experiences. It outlines priorities that we and local health and care services and voluntary sector organisations can pledge to work towards to improve carers’ lives:

• Improving recognition and understanding of carers’ expertise and responsibilities
• Reducing financial, employment, and educational challenges
• Creating carer friendly services and communities
• Improving health and wellbeing, including access to breaks, social connection, and flexible appointments

Read the full Carers and Young Carers Charter and contribute to a more inclusive, carer-friendly Richmond.