June 8th-14th was Carers Week raising awareness of the incredible love and sacrifice carers make daily to provide additional support for loved ones.
This year’s theme: Building Carer Friendly Communities.
Kaddy Thomas is the CEO and founder of Elijah’s Hope CIC and Carers Collective charity, built on one simple but profound principle: no carer should navigate this journey alone. Established to address a critical crisis affecting 5.7 million unpaid carers in the UK, the charity serves approximately 20,000 carers through targeted local initiatives, while building national infrastructure for wider impact. Delivering practical, solution-focused support through Building Resilience workshops, co-created with qualified psychotherapists, and “Coffee, Cake, Collaborate” peer support gatherings.
In May, Kaddy’s work was recognised at the Woman Who Achieves Awards, where she was awarded the Special Recognition Award 2026.
“Walking up to the stage I could feel myself welling up by the time I got to Sandra Garlick tears were flowing. Incredibly blessed and honoured. Thank you Sandra and the Woman Who Judges”
Here’s what the judges had to say: “The judges were deeply moved by Kaddy’s extraordinary personal journey, resilience and unwavering dedication to supporting carers across the UK. Through Carers Collective, she has transformed lived experience into meaningful action, creating real impact for others while courageously advocating for a community that is so often unseen and unheard. This Special Recognition Award honours not only the work she is doing today, but the determination, compassion and powerful voice she brings to changing lives and championing carers everywhere.”
To find out more about the work of Carers Collective, please visit the website: https://www.carers-collective.co.uk/.
To support their work through a donation: https://gofund.me/0d12e080e.
