Carers UK is asking unpaid carers across the UK to take part in its State of Caring Survey 2026. The survey is open until 9 August and explores the impact of caring on areas including health, finances, employment and wellbeing.
The findings help shape Carers UK's research, policy and campaigning work, while also informing government, health and social care services, charities and carers' organisations. More than 10,500 carers took part in last year's survey, providing evidence that has contributed to discussions on social care reform, carers' employment rights and financial support.
You may wish to share the survey with unpaid carers you support, helping ensure carers' voices are heard at a time when key decisions are being made about the future of health and social care services.
Gardens are extraordinary places for wildlife - whether they're located at a hospice, or simply at your own home.
The survey's findings will improve national understanding of how gardens support biodiversity in the UK.
Whether you have a garden of any size, an allotment, a balcony or a courtyard - you can get involved and contribute your own findings to the data.
And hopefully, you'll find enjoyment in observing wildlife in your garden and contributing to environmental research.
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England
As part of the 10 Year Health Plan, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced the creation of a Neighbourhood Health Service, that will provide accessible coordinated care within a local area. This will be achieved through an integrated healthcare system bringing together a variety of different services. Since then, DHSC has announced 43 pilot sites across England that are designing and trailing this service now, along with running consultations around the sites and contracting.
We'd like to understand further how hospices are getting involved, so we can work with DHSC to ensure that nationally they are thinking about hospices and palliative and end of life care as part of the neighbourhood programme.
The Children’s Commissioner for England has launched The Big Future – a national survey inviting children and young people aged 0–18 to share their experiences, concerns and hopes for the future. The findings will help shape national policy and ensure children’s voices are heard in decision making.
The survey is open to children in England until 23 October, and can be completed by children themselves or by parents and carers on their behalf.
By sharing the survey through your services, you can help ensure that the voices of children receiving hospice care – and their siblings – are included, and that future policy reflects their needs and realities. This may also be of interest to adult hospices who are supporting families through wellbeing services.
A stakeholder toolkit with ready-made resources is available to help you promote the survey across your networks.
We are aware that Corin Dalby's petition on hospice funding is attracting support and appears to be benefiting from promotion through Change.org's platform.
While we are not actively supporting or promoting the petition, and would not encourage members to do so, any increased awareness of hospice funding challenges can be helpful in drawing further attention to the issues facing the sector.
Our focus remains on advancing our fair funding campaign and its four-point plan for securing sustainable, long-term funding for hospice care.
For further information or advice, please email our policy team.
