New book traces 60 years of the international carers’ movement
A new book explores the history, development and impact of the international carers’ movement, tracing six decades of mobilisation, campaigning and growing recognition of carers’ organisations around the world.
Carers’ Organisations and their Impact: The Creation of a Global Movement, published by Policy Press in July 2026, is the first book to examine the development of the carers’ movement from a global perspective. Drawing on research and testimony from leading figures in the movement, it explores how carers’ organisations have grown from small beginnings in the 1960s into an international network of not-for-profit organisations.
The book looks at the development and interconnections of the movement across the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US and parts of Asia, highlighting how carers’ organisations have helped raise awareness of caring and influence policy and research agendas. It also offers a critical assessment of the movement’s achievements and future prospects at a time when care continues to be a pressing issue worldwide.
Of particular relevance to Eurocarers, the book includes a dedicated chapter on the history of Eurocarers, documenting the development of the organisation and its place within the wider international carers’ movement. The chapter provides an opportunity to reflect on the evolution of carer representation in Europe and the role that collective organisation has played in bringing carers’ issues onto the policy agenda.
This history also resonates strongly with Eurocarers’ current work. As the organisation looks towards its 2027–2032 Strategic Framework, initiatives such as the Carer-Led Organisations Development (CLOD) Programme aim to support the emergence and growth of grassroots, carer-led organisations and platforms across Europe. In this sense, understanding the history of the movement can also help inform its next chapter.
The book was authored by Professor Sue Yeandle, with Dr Jayne Astbury contributing as co-author to two of its ten chapters. Thanks to a UKRI award, the full book is available to read open access digitally, making this valuable account of the international carers’ movement freely accessible.
The print edition is also available from Policy Press, with a 50% event discount (code DSC50) available until 31 December 2026.
Read the book open access or find out more: Carers’ Organisations and their Impact – Policy Press
