Objectives: to understand how the empowerment of family caregivers of people with stroke occurs in the hospital environment.; Methods: a qualitative research, participatory action research, articulated with Paulo Freire's Research Itinerary, developed in April 2018 with family caregivers, in a Stroke Unit.; Results: three predominant codes were coded: the need for empowerment and autonomy to experience the care situation; the challenges experienced in becoming a caregiver; and family support.