A nationwide campaign shone a deserving spotlight on the vital contribution of unpaid dementia carers earlier this month.

National Dementia Carers Day, held on September 14, gave unpaid, family carers the opportunity to share their experiences of caring for a loved one with dementia and how the condition affects their own lives.

Founders of the event, SweetTree Home Care Services and Alzheimer’s Association, spoke with several carers to hear their perspectives on what caregiving truly means and shared their stories on social media to raise awareness.

Katie, cares for her father, who lives with dementia, and is the founder of Eldering, a platform for adults supporting ageing parents. Reflecting on the value of care in society, she said: “Caring is sacred, in my opinion. It’s a wonderful thing that we can do for each other as humans, and it’s the foundation of a good society. But carers also need support and community, and they should be considered incredibly valuable.”

Jason, who supports his father-in-law, shared his gratitude for the role while acknowledging its challenges. “Rather like with children, you must manage your time around their time, rather than see your time as your own,” he said. “As everyone does, I have a lot of needs that need to be met, but we just get by as best we can.”

Ahead of National Dementia Carers Day, SweetTree Home Care Services held a free webinar for families. The session, led by Holly Emerson, Head of Dementia Care at SweeTree, offered practical advice on managing dementia symptoms, accessing funding and approaching difficult conversations with loved ones.

The campaign extended online too, with members of the public and care providers sharing messages of support and solidarity under the hashtag #NDCD2025, helping to build a sense of unity across the caregiving community.

Reflecting on the day, Barry Sweetbaum, Founder and Managing Director of SweetTree, said: “Carers are the backbone and the real unsung heroes of our society. Through National Dementia Carers Day, we aim to bring together dementia caregivers across the UK, who often face feelings of isolation.”

Looking ahead, NDCD, with the support of the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Show, is inviting carers, families, and professionals to join the 2026 campaign.

Barry continued: “By partnering with organisations such as the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Show, we are also fostering greater cooperation in the care sector. “We are proud to work together towards better care and a higher quality of life for those living with dementia and their families.”

You can get involved in the 2026 campaign by contacting info@nationaldementiacarersday.co.uk or by sharing your experiences on social media using the hashtags #NationalDementiaCarersDay and #NDCD throughout the year.