Carers Rights Day Event

Citizens Advice Milton Keynes and the Carers Support Network are inviting unpaid carers from across the city to a special free event on Friday 20 November, offering advice, support and the opportunity to share their experiences with Horizon Radio.

The Carers Rights Day Drop-In will take place at NatWest in Central Milton Keynes between 10am and 4pm, bringing together local organisations, specialist advisors and members of the community to raise awareness of the vital contribution made by unpaid carers.

Organised by Citizens Advice Milton Keynes, the lead provider of the Milton Keynes Carers Support Network, the event aims to help people recognise when they are providing unpaid care and understand the support, benefits and rights available to them.

Horizon Radio will also be attending to record interviews with local carers, giving them an opportunity to share their personal stories and help raise awareness of the challenges and rewards of caring for others.

Are You an Unpaid Carer Without Realising It?

The theme of Carers Rights Day 2026 is "Someone you know is a carer, but do they know it yet?"

Many people regularly look after a relative, partner, friend or neighbour without ever considering themselves to be a carer.

Whether it involves helping an elderly parent with everyday tasks, supporting someone with a disability, providing emotional support to a loved one experiencing mental health difficulties or looking after someone with a long-term illness, unpaid caring takes many different forms.

For some people, caring responsibilities develop gradually, becoming a normal part of everyday life. Others suddenly find themselves providing significant support following an illness, diagnosis or change in family circumstances.

However, failing to recognise themselves as carers can mean people miss out on valuable advice, financial assistance and practical support.

The Carers Rights Day event hopes to change that by encouraging residents to have a conversation about their circumstances and discover what help might be available.

Free Advice and Support from Local Organisations

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to speak directly with Citizens Advice advisors and representatives from organisations supporting carers across Milton Keynes.

The event will offer opportunities to:

• Discover whether they may be considered an unpaid carer.

• Receive advice about carers' rights, benefits and financial support.

• Learn about practical assistance and local services available to carers.

• Meet organisations providing specialist support across Milton Keynes.

• Connect with other carers who understand the challenges of looking after someone.

• Share personal experiences through optional interviews with Horizon Radio.

The informal drop-in format means visitors can come along for a conversation, ask questions and find out about services that could make a difference to their everyday lives.

There will also be an opportunity to meet the Mayor of Milton Keynes, who is expected to attend between 11am and 1pm.

Horizon Radio to Give Local Carers a Voice

Horizon Radio is supporting the event by interviewing unpaid carers about their personal experiences and their journeys with the Carers Support Network.

The interviews will provide an opportunity for carers to explain what caring means to them, discuss the challenges they face and highlight the importance of having access to understanding, advice and support.

By sharing these stories, the organisers hope to raise awareness of the enormous contribution unpaid carers make to families and communities throughout Milton Keynes.

They also hope the interviews will encourage others to recognise that they, too, may be carers, even if they have never previously used that description.

Participation in the interviews is entirely voluntary. Anyone interested in sharing their story with Horizon Radio is encouraged to book a free interview slot through the event's Eventbrite booking page.

"We Want Carers to Know They Matter Too"

Ben Thomas, Director of Citizens Advice Milton Keynes, says many people underestimate the significance of the care they provide.

"Lots of people tell us, 'I'm just looking after my mum' or 'I'm only helping my partner.' They don't always see themselves as carers, even when caring takes up a big part of their day.

"We've got events and activities happening throughout the week, and we'd love people to come along, have a chat and find out what's available.

"But caring doesn't stop when the week is over. We want carers to know they matter too, and that the Milton Keynes Carers Support Network is here throughout the year, whenever they need advice, a listening ear or a bit of help."

The event forms part of wider activities taking place during Carers Rights Day week, designed to ensure that carers know where to turn for help and understand that support remains available throughout the year.

New WhatsApp Channel to Help Carers Stay Connected

The event will also celebrate the launch of a new Carers Support Network WhatsApp Channel, hosted by Citizens Advice Milton Keynes.

The channel has been designed to make it easier for unpaid carers to access useful information without having to spend valuable time searching for services and activities.

Subscribers can receive updates about local support services, events, carers' cafés, wellbeing activities and practical resources from organisations working with carers throughout the city.

Unlike a traditional WhatsApp group, the channel does not require members to take part in group conversations. Instead, carers can simply read information and updates whenever it is convenient.

More than 100 carers joined the channel during its first couple of weeks.

Ben Thomas explained:

"When you're looking after someone, finding time to look for help for yourself can be difficult. We've set up our WhatsApp Channel so carers in MK can hear about useful advice, local activities and places to turn.

"There's no group chat to keep up with and you can just read the updates at a time that suits you. Over a hundred carers have joined it already in the first couple of weeks. We hope it helps more carers feel connected and know they have people they can turn to."

Supporting Carers Throughout Milton Keynes

The Milton Keynes Carers Support Network is led by Citizens Advice Milton Keynes in partnership with Milton Keynes City Council.

It works alongside a range of specialist organisations, including CHUMS, Mind BLMK, Age UK, Alzheimer's Society, Talkback UK, Coram Family Lives and Mobilise.

Together, these organisations provide support for unpaid carers looking after friends or family members affected by illness, disability, mental health needs, addiction, neurodivergence or age-related conditions.

The network aims to make it easier for carers to find appropriate advice and assistance, recognising that different caring situations can involve very different challenges.

Importantly, support is available beyond Carers Rights Day itself, ensuring that people can continue to seek guidance as their circumstances change.

Carers Rights Day Drop-In: Event Details

Date: Friday 20 November 2026

Time: 10am to 4pm

Venue: Upstairs at NatWest Milton Keynes, Units 164–166 Midsummer Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3BA.

Admission: Free

Mayor of Milton Keynes: Expected between 11am and 1pm.

Accessibility: Lift access and accessible facilities are available.

Booking: Free tickets are available through Eventbrite. Search for "Carers Rights Drop-In with the Carers Support Network Milton Keynes". Separate free interview slots can also be booked for those wishing to share their experiences with Horizon Radio.

For further information about support for unpaid carers in Milton Keynes, residents can text CARER to 88008 or email carers@mkcab.org.uk.

The event has been made possible through the support of Milton Keynes City Council, Citizens Advice Milton Keynes, NatWest Milton Keynes and Horizon Radio.