Carers’ Week 2026 – Spotlight on Kate Watson, Carer Champion
Over the last few years, the number of colleagues stepping up to be Carer Champions has more than doubled. Supporting teams and wards with “Building Carer Friendly Communities” is the theme of this year’s Carers’ Week (8 - 14 June).
A Carer Champion helps our organisation to better support carers within their service area. They are part of a Trust-wide network of colleagues from a range of professional backgrounds who are committed to improving the experiences of carers. Carer Champions meet quarterly as a Community of Practice to share learning, exchange ideas, celebrate good practice, and support one another in developing carer-friendly services.
The Together Team kept hearing great things about the work of our colleague, Kate Watson. Kate, Senior Peer Support Worker, is based in the Community Forensics Team at Langdon Hospital. As well as being a talented and long-serving Senior Peer Support Worker, she has embraced the Carer Champion role and taken it to new levels that are really getting noticed. We caught up with her for a chat about what motivated her to take up the role.
Kate said: “I wanted to become a carer champion because caring can have such a huge impact on every part of someone’s life, and carers often put their own needs last. As an adult child carer myself, supporting a parent, I understand first-hand the emotional and practical challenges that can come with balancing caring responsibilities alongside everyday life. I also know how important it is to feel listened to, understood, and having an awareness of the support available.
“That personal experience motivated me to take on the role so I could help raise awareness of carers’ needs and make sure carers feel recognised, supported, and included. Many people don’t even identify themselves as carers, so having someone who understands and can help guide them towards support, that’s available, can make a real difference.”
What’s involved in the role?
The role involves being a point of contact and advocate for carers within the service. This includes helping colleagues recognise carers, sharing information about available support, signposting to local and national services, and promoting carers’ wellbeing. It also involves raising awareness across the team, encouraging good practice, and helping ensure carers are included in conversations and care planning where appropriate. Sometimes it’s about practical advice, and other times it’s simply about listening and making carers feel acknowledged.
How does the role impact your other responsibilities?
In many ways, the role builds on work I was already doing as a Senior Peer Support Worker. Supporting carers is naturally part of providing person-centred care, so becoming a carer champion helped give more structure and focus to that aspect of the role. It can add some additional responsibilities, such as keeping up to date with resources or sharing information with colleagues, but overall, it complements day-to-day practice rather than feeling separate from it. It also helps create better outcomes because carers are more informed and supported from the start.
What difference has your Carer Champion work made to your service?
For me personally, it’s rewarding to know that carers feel heard and supported. It has also increased my knowledge and confidence in identifying carers’ needs and understanding the challenges they face.
For the service, having a carer champion helps improve awareness and consistency across the team. It encourages a more carer-friendly approach and strengthens communication between staff, carers, and the people using services.
For carers and the people they support, the benefits can be significant. When carers feel supported, informed, and included, they are often better able to maintain their own wellbeing and continue in their caring role. This can improve outcomes for everyone involved.
What would you say to anyone thinking of becoming a Carer Champion?
I would definitely encourage anyone considering the role, to get involved. You don’t need to have all the answers — a big part of the role is being approachable, listening, and helping people access the right support. Even small actions can make a big difference to someone who may be feeling overwhelmed or isolated. It’s a valuable role that can positively influence both colleagues and carers alike.
Has the role taught you anything new?
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how important it is to recognise carers early and involve them as partners in care. Carers often have invaluable insight and experience, and acknowledging their contribution can have a huge impact. Sometimes simply asking someone “how are you, really?” can open the door to meaningful support.
Thank you to Kate for all your hard work, and for taking time to share your lived and professional experience.
Find out more about Carer Champions by contacting our Together Team on dpt.together@nhs.net
Phill Mantay, Chief Executive, recognises the important role that our Carer Champions play in supporting carers across our organisation. During Carers Week, he extends his personal thanks to all of our Carer Champions in this short video message, as well as everyone else who contributes to improving the experiences of carers.
Did you know?
- Many carers don’t even see themselves as carers and don’t know their rights.
- Carer champions and resources such as A Carer’s Guide to Self-Advocacy help carers to feel more confident in the role.
- The 2024 NHS Staff Survey showed that NHS staff in mental health and learning disability trusts were more likely to be carers than other NHS roles, at 36%.