Carers Chill4us

01/10/2026

01/10/2026

💔 In a statement released tonight, the family of Dame Esther Rantzen said: “Our adored mother Dame Esther Rantzen died today. Her legacy of compassion and understanding will live on in her charities Childline and the Silverline, and through those of us who were lucky enough to love and be loved by her.

“We are grateful she is finally at rest with her beloved husband, Desmond Wilcox, but we will miss her immeasurably. She was our sunshine. We will always remember her endless capacity for joy, her ability to comfort every heartache, her beautiful way with words and her expert guidance in all things.

“She was the most wonderful mother to us three children and a cherished grandmother to her five treasured grandchildren. We have been so lucky for so long, no matter how much time we had with Mum it could be never be enough, but we are so grateful for our lives together.

“Mum’s work with charities and campaigning, particularly for children, older people, and the terminally ill, meant the world to her so thank you to everyone who has written to her, shared their stories with her over the years and worked alongside her.

“We hope the humour, ingenuity and audacity she brought to her work may continue to inspire you as it will do us. We kindly ask that we are given privacy and time to grieve.”

Her children also revealed today that Dame Esther shared a message before her death. It read: "Dear Everybody, I am so sorry I cannot send you each individual thanks for the fun, the support and the help you have been to me.

"I have been immensely lucky in the friendship and the professional advice I have had from you which has enabled me to live such a long and happy life.

"If any of you would like to donate something to charity in my name as a celebration of what we have had together, I do know that the Dignitas charity in Switzerland is facing serious challenges and would be very grateful.

"And the Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington has also been wonderful to me. And Cathy would like me to pay tribute to Cats Protection of course.

"Sadly, all good things come to an end, as they say. So I particularly wanted to say goodbye and thank you so very, very much. Perhaps I will see you eventually, on the other side. I do hope so. With very good wishes, as ever, Esther."

30/09/2026

Great news

We welcome today’s announcement by Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to appoint a new champion for unpaid carers. It's been almost 20 years since there was last someone appointed by the UK Government to specifically champion the needs of carers , so we look forward to working with them to ensure the voices of carers and services who support them are heard.

29/09/2026

Today's commitment by the Prime Minister to fundamentally reform our broken social care system and build a National Care Service has grasped the urgent need for change.

Read our full response, shared by our Chief Executive, Helen Walker, on its critical importance and the change needed for carers and families: https://bit.pulse.ly/nkfr8mipbt

24/09/2026

Huge numbers of unpaid carers are caring day and night, government data shows

14/09/2026

Our thoughts are with the Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his family following the death of his father, Roy, who lived with Alzheimer’s.

The Prime Minister has often spoken movingly about the impact of his father’s illness on his family and the experience of seeing first-hand the vital role of proper care and support. We send our deepest condolences to him and his family at this difficult time.

12/09/2026

Good luck to our runners taking on the Great North Run for ! 🏃

By choosing to run for Carers UK, you are helping to make sure unpaid carers can get support when they need it most.

We're cheering you on!

30/08/2026

The amazing East Coast Truckers Convoy travelling down Great Yarmouth seafront. 🚛❤️

20/08/2026

Too many young carers, like Ellie, are missing out because schools don't know who they are or what they need.

We're backing Vikki Slade MP's call for the introduction of a Young Carer Champion in every school so no young carer falls through the cracks.

Find out more and sign the petition here to help get it to 100,000 supporters by the end of August - https://www.change.org/p/appoint-a-young-carers-champion-in-every-school-in-england
Vikki Slade 4 Mid Dorset & North Poole

22/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1411765034328289&set=a.359186852919451&type=3

We are delighted the BBC is shining a spotlight next week on unpaid carers through a week of special programmes, stories and discussions across TV, radio and online.

We have worked to help the BBC develop content for its programmes and source case studies. Find out more and share to raise awareness of carers and the need for more support: bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/bbc-caring-matters-week

(Image: BBC)