Carers Week 2026: Building Carer Friendly Communities in West Lothian
07 May 2026
From 8–14 June 2026, Carers Week 2026 is shining a spotlight on the importance of “Building Carer Friendly Communities.”
Across West Lothian, unpaid carers provide vital support every day to family members, partners, friends, and neighbours. Caring can be rewarding, but it can also have an impact on mental health, relationships, work, finances, and overall wellbeing. That’s why creating communities where carers feel recognised, supported, and connected is so important.
At West Space, we know carers also need support for themselves. Whether you are looking for practical advice, emotional support, or local services that understand the challenges of caring, there is help available across West Lothian.
Support and self-help resources for carers
West Space offers a range of self-help guides and resources to support carers with the challenges that can come alongside caring responsibilities. Whether you’re looking for practical advice, emotional support, or ways to protect your own wellbeing, there is help available.
Our Carers resource includes information and advice to help carers look after their mental health and wellbeing, understand the support available to them, and feel less alone in their caring role.
Looking after someone else can sometimes make it difficult to prioritise your own needs. Our Boundaries resource explores how setting healthy boundaries can help protect wellbeing, maintain relationships, and reduce feelings of burnout.
We also know that many young people take on caring responsibilities. Our Young Carers resource offers support and information for young carers, helping them understand they are not alone and that support is available.
Many carers support someone experiencing mental health challenges. Our How to talk about mental health guide can help people feel more confident starting conversations about mental health and supporting someone in a compassionate and understanding way.
Stories and lived experience
Hearing from carers and people working in support services can help others feel understood and less alone. Sharing lived experience is an important part of building carer friendly communities, reducing stigma, and encouraging people to access support early.
Read reflections and insights from people working closely with carers and communities across West Lothian.
Finding support in West Lothian
West Space hosts a directory of organisations and services across West Lothian that support mental health and wellbeing, including support available for carers.
From community groups and peer support to specialist organisations and practical advice services, there are many ways carers can access help locally. Whether you are new to caring or have supported someone for many years, reaching out for support can make a positive difference.
Building carer friendly communities together
This year’s Carers Week 2026 theme reminds us that supporting carers is everyone’s responsibility. Communities become more carer friendly when carers feel listened to, included, and able to access support without judgement.
Small actions can make a big difference — checking in on a carer, helping someone stay connected to their community, or creating workplaces and services that better understand caring responsibilities.
If you are an unpaid carer in West Lothian, West Space can help you find information, support, and local services to support your wellbeing while you continue supporting others.