Introducing Foothold, a charity dedicated to supporting engineers and their families. During Carers Week 2026, Foothold is recognising how vital carers are and sharing the ways to support them. This year’s theme, ‘Building Carer Friendly Communities’, is about creating spaces where carers are understood, supported and empowered to thrive.
Every day, around 63 million people worldwide care for someone close to them[1].In the UK, there are 5.8 million unpaid carers, over half of whom are also juggling care with paid work[2].
Many people don’t recognise themselves in those numbers. They’re just doing what needs to be done. Caring responsibilities might begin with helping a parent after an illness, supporting a partner through a difficult time, or looking after a child with additional needs. It becomes part of everyday life, alongside work, study and everything else.
If you’re caring for someone, or think you might be, asking for support can feel like a big step. But it can also be the first step towards making things feel more manageable.
Are you eligible for carers support?
If you or the person you care for has worked or trained in engineering or technology, Foothold can offer you free wellbeing support and legal advice. And if you or the person you care for has ever been an IET member, you may be eligible for financial support from Foothold. Even if you’re not currently working as an engineer, you may still be eligible if your work or study is linked to the sector.
Advice, information and financial support
Foothold has a long history of supporting carers in the engineering community. It knows that everyone’s situation is different, so it can offer a range of support, including advice and guidance tailored to your situation and financial assistance (eligibility criteria apply).
Whether or not you qualify for Foothold’s financial support, you can get legal advice via its free app. This includes information on managing someone else’s affairs or getting power of attorney.
Caring for yourself
Caring can bring physical, emotional and psychological challenges, and it’s important to have support in place for yourself too. When you’re focused on someone else’s needs, it’s easy to overlook your own. But you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Eligible carers can apply for counselling grants from Foothold, so you have someone to talk to when it matters most. Foothold can also offer respite or holiday grants to give you a break to rest and recharge. All carers get free access to our Wellbeing Hub. It contains expert advice and tools on managing your physical and mental health, including cognitive behavioural therapy modules.
Foothold is here when you need it
If you’d like to apply for carers support from Foothold, fill in the application form to get started. Foothold’s work is powered by donations from the engineering community. If you’d like to support engineers with care needs or caring responsibilities, find out how you can help here:
