About The Trust
Who is a carer?
There are six million people in the UK looking after a loved-one who is sick, disabled, suffering from a mental health problem or an addiction - some as young as five years old. What carers have in common is the selflessness to put their family member needs before their own, but they face an on-going life of isolation, ill-health and poverty.
Who are we?
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers was created on the initiative of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal in 1991. At that time people caring at home for family members or friends with disabilities and chronic illnesses were scarcely recognised as requiring support.
For nearly 20 years, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers has been fighting to provide carers with the support they so desperately need. The Trust understands that few of us plan to become carers, so when a caring role starts, every carer needs an expert to guide them through the maze of services, rules and entitlements. For a carer, this can make the difference between keeping and losing their job, or between staying healthy and collapsing under the stress.
At the heart of The Trust is a unique network of 144 independently-managed Carers' Centres, 89 young carers' services and interactive websites (www.carers.org and www.youngcarers.net) which deliver around the clock support to over 424,000 carers and approximately 28,500 young carers.
Our vision
Carers are recognised, valued and able to maximise their quality of life.
Our mission
To meet the diverse needs of carers through excellent local and national services.
Our strategic aims
- To ensure that carers are able to influence decisions which affect their lives.
- To work effectively with Carers' Centres and other partners to develop, promote and deliver high quality services for carers.
- To raise awareness of carers and the contribution they make to society.
- To secure the sustainability of The Trust and to effectively manage its resources.
In addition, The Trust also acts independently in the interests of carers through:
- Research, development and consultation.
- Influence on national, regional and local policy.
- Partnerships with other national organisations.
- Information through our interactive websites, providing advice and access to support groups.
