That Counts as Caring

This Carers Week (8th – 14th June 2026), Gaddum has launched That Counts as Caring to raise awareness of what it means to be an unpaid carer and how caring affects people’s lives.

You may not think of yourself as a carer; many people who look after someone don't use this label to describe their experience. Caring is often something people 'just do' because they love the person the support. In some cultures, there is no direct translation for the word 'carer', which makes their caring role difficult to recognise.

For some, caring begins gradually. You might start by helping with small things, and over time those responsibilities grow, sometimes without you even noticing the shift. Maybe you support your partner, spouse, parent, sibling, child or another relative. Maybe you help them get washed and dressed, arrange hospital appointments, cook meals, collect medication, or juggle all of these things are more.  Maybe you care for someone who lives with you, or maybe they live elsewhere. Maybe you care for someone full time, part time, or some of the time. But…

No matter who you care for, no matter how often you care, no matter whether you call yourself a carer or not – That Counts as Caring.

To bring this campaign to life, carers from across Salford and Manchester shared their experiences through filmed stories and written reflections about what caring looks like in their everyday lives. A huge "thank you" to all carers who contributed to this campaign. You can read and watch their stories below.

Paul’s Story

Paul lives in Swinton and cares for his mum, who lives in a nearby care home. In this short film, Paul shares his experience of juggling his caring role with work responsibilities. Paul also shares the advice he’d give to others who care for a family member, but don’t necessarily consider themselves a carer.

Zoey’s story

Zoey lives in Manchester and cares for her mum, who lives with schizophrenia. Zoey shares her experiences of being a young carer from age six and the difficulties of caring for someone who struggles with their mental health.

Click on the images below to read each carer’s story:

For more information about That Counts as Caring, or for any media enquiries, please contact:

Hannah Burns, Marketing & Communications Lead: hannah.burns@gaddum.org.uk