Carers’ Voices Heard: The Impact of Our Carers Voice Exhibition

This summer, the Carers Voice exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) opened a unique window into the hidden world of unpaid Carers. Through art, poetry and storytelling, visitors were invited to step into the lives of those who provide unpaid care to family and friends – often without recognition or support.

A Powerful Emotional Response

Visitor feedback shows the exhibition sparked strong emotions. Words most often used to describe the experience including

Visitors spoke of feeling empathy, pride, sadness, joy, compassion, and above all, hope. One person reflected: “Very moving, especially the poetry – unexpectedly emotional. It expanded my awareness, but also highlighted that there’s a lot of joy too.”

Raising Awareness of Unpaid Carers

For many, the exhibition was a turning point in understanding the reality of caring. 100% of those who completed our digital survey said it changed how they view unpaid Carers and their role in society.

The creative works brought hidden struggles and resilience to light. Pieces like Don’t Die Before Me, Overwhelm, and The Tide helped visitors connect to themes of love, loss, and endurance.

One visitor shared: “It reminds me of how things can change in an instant. It may be anyone who ends up caring.”

Reaching Thousands

With the exhibition displayed in BMAG’s Industrial Gallery, there was a potential audience of over 15,500 visitors during its run. Our team were present on several occasions throughout the month to engage directly with people viewing the board. This proved invaluable — it meant that those who saw themselves reflected in the artwork or poetry could be signposted to support or even registered as a Carer on the spot.

Recognising Carer Identity

The exhibition also helped visitors reflect on their own lives. Some recognised themselves as Carers for the first time, realising that supporting a loved one with dementia, a disability or health condition is more than just “helping out” – it is caring.

One attendee wrote: “Yes – I am a Carer and this exhibition has helped me feel more seen and valued.”

Messages of Support and Solidarity

Perhaps the most moving responses were the messages of encouragement left for Carers:

• “Keep going, keep drawing, express feelings.”
• “Your best is always good enough.”
• “Thank you for sharing your stories – you are not alone.”

These voices show the exhibition not only raised awareness but also built bridges of solidarity between Carers and the wider community.

A Lasting Legacy

The story does not end here. Building on the success at BMAG:

• The exhibition will remain accessible for 12 weeks from October in a reprinted format at the Library of Birmingham, within the Wellbeing Space, ensuring the voices of Carers continue to be heard by thousands more visitors.
• The original artwork will be hosted permanently at Birmingham City Council House, standing as a constant reminder to councillors and civic guests of the importance of valuing and supporting Carers.
• An online gallery will continue to be available at Carers Art Projects, making the work accessible to those unable to attend in person.
• Across the city, we will also continue to support Carers to access therapeutic art sessions, using creativity as a tool for wellbeing, self-expression and community connection.

Why This Matters

Unpaid Carers are the backbone of our society, yet too often they are invisible. The Carers Voice exhibition at BMAG has:

• Raised public awareness of caring and its impact
• Helped individuals recognise themselves as Carers
• Provided a platform for Carers to be seen, valued and celebrated
• Sparked community support and empathy
• Reached more than 15,000 people with Carer stories and voices
• Created a foundation for ongoing therapeutic arts provision
• Secured a civic and cultural legacy through new permanent displays
• Extended accessibility through a permanent online gallery

This is more than an exhibition – it’s a step towards creating a Carer Friendly Community, where every Carer feels recognised, supported and understood.