At Crossroads Care Kent, we support unpaid carers, families and individuals across Kent every day — from respite care and companionship to transport to healthcare appointments and practical help at home. We know first-hand how vital it is that the voices of unpaid carers are heard by those making decisions about the future of social care.
The main announcements included:
- A national "Big Conversation" on the future of social care
- Baroness Casey's final report brought forward to 2027
- Further support for the paid social care workforce
- A commitment to work across political parties to build consensus on reform
For carers in Kent and across the country, this is an important step forward. But the biggest decisions still lie ahead — and your voice matters now more than ever.
One thing that stood out was how the public conversation kept circling around tax, house sales and inheritance. These are important subjects but what we also need is for the real, everyday experiences of unpaid carers — the long hours, the emotional weight, the gaps in carer support — to be heard just as loudly. That's where you come in.
Whether you are an unpaid carer in Maidstone, Thanet, Ashford, Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells or anywhere across Kent, your experience of caring matters and deserves to be part of this national conversation.
Please take part in the Big Conversation: https://caseycommission.co.uk/bigconversation/
Share it with people you know, through your networks, social media, and community groups. It's vital that the experiences of unpaid carers are heard loud and clear — and that carer support services across Kent and beyond are recognised as essential, not optional.
If you'd like to know more about how Crossroads Care Kent can support you or someone you care for, get in touch at enquiries@crossroadskent.org or call us on 03450 956701.