Home - York Carers Centre

Who we help

We support unpaid carers in York from the age of 5, including young carers, young adult carers, adult carers and parent carers. You can explore the group that’s most relevant to you for information, advice and support.

A young woman sits beside an older woman in a wheelchair, smiling warmly at each other in a bright, sunlit room. Green houseplants sit on the windowsill behind them. The moment feels calm, caring and supportive.

Young carers (5-18)

A young man in a black tracksuit walking alongside an older man in a bright floral shirt. The young man is carrying a pink football, and they are smiling as they walk through a residential area.

Young adult carers (18–25)

Woman in black shirt and trousers assisting her father out of the patio doors of their house

Adult carers (over 25)

A man with short grey hair and glasses is standing outdoors in a sunlit woodland area, holding a young girl with pigtails. The girl is looking at him while gently touching his face. They appear relaxed and engaged with each other, surrounded by warm autumn light and tall trees.

Parent carers

An older woman wearing glasses and a red patterned jumper sits at a table, smiling warmly as she listens to another person who is partly visible in the foreground. The setting appears to be a community or group space with folded chairs and tables.

I want to help a carer

A woman wearing glasses and a navy top with patterned sleeves sits at a desk in a bright office, smiling as she works on a laptop. A large computer monitor is in front of her, and the background shows an open-plan workspace with natural light coming through the windows.

I work with carers

Carer stories

According to the 2021 Census, there are 14,875 unpaid carers in York, and we know that many more remain unrecognised as carers.

Caring roles vary widely, and each person’s situation is unique.

Listen to local people share their experiences of being an unpaid carer.

Your experiences can help others understand the challenges and rewards of being an unpaid carer and highlight how valuable the support we provide can be.

If you’re willing to share your story, whether through an article, a short video, or anonymously, we would be grateful for your contribution. Your voice can make a difference.

Please email enquiries@yorkcarerscentre.co.uk if you can help.

A photo of Carol - a carer - being interviewed in her home, sharing her story about what life is like for her as a carer,

"York Carers Centre has helped me enormously. I'm not a one for speaking about my feelings. They've offered me ways of just being in situations where I don't have to talk if I don't want to, but I can, if I want to."

Watch Carol's story

A photo of Mandy wearing jeans and a grey fleece, on her sofa, being interviewed for a Carer Story.

“I haven’t laughed for a long, long time. I feel - I'm finding me but a different me now - through it all. I feel 100% validated, I feel like I'm a person. You know, I am Mandy. Julie’s done that to me."

Watch Mandy's story

Hilary is a carer and agreed to be interviewed about what it's like to be a carer. Hilary is on holiday in the photo and the sea is in the background.

"Although we've been married for nearly 50 years - we've just had our 49th wedding anniversary - the circumstances have changed. The relationship has changed. Because I realised that I had become a carer, not just a wife."

Watch Hilary's story

Our work in numbers

Between April 2024 and March 2025, we provided:

1973

individual carers supported

through in-depth support advice or information

2454

one-to-one support sessions

giving carers the space to talk about their own needs and concerns

221

activities for carers

with 884 attendances, providing a break from their caring role and chance to meet with other carers

% increase

Since the previous year in the number of carers registered with us

250000

(£) in extra benefits

To families income through support with benefits advice and information

Four adults sitting on an outdoor wooden bench, smiling and chatting together while holding coffee cups. They look relaxed and happy, enjoying a friendly conversation.

Learn more about our team

Our staff team consists of around 30 people, many of whom are carers themselves. This personal connection is what motivates us to improve the lives of carers and making a meaningful difference.

To support our staff, we offer hybrid and flexible working arrangements, to ensure a healthy work-life balance, minimise stress and prioritise health and well-being. Most of our paid staff work part time. Our team is highly skilled and very friendly.

Find out more