Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
This year we are coming together to Make Caring Visible and Valued.
Last year, our only option was to deliver Carers Week virtually, this year, most of our events will be virtual but we will also be able to deliver some activities safely face to face.
For Carers Week 2021, Forward Carers has introduced a Carers Conference with a different theme each day from Monday 7 June to Sunday 13 June. There are events for parent carers, young carers, young adult carers, and for those who care for an older person. Choose from face-to-face and online events, yoga, pilates and there’s even a legs, bums and tums class.
As we want to Make Caring Visible and Valued, our conference is aimed at:
- Carers
- Professionals such as GPs and social workers
- Local authorities
- Businesses as well as
- The education sector.
We want Carers to be aware of what support is available,for those currently unaware that they are in a caring role to acknowledge that they are a Carer and seek help, plus, we want sectors across the community to recognise and understand Carers so they can offer support. This fits in with Forward Carers vision to create Carer Friendly Communities.
Details about the conference are available here. By opening this pdf file you can plan what sessions you would like to attend. To reserve your FREE place, click on the logo on the left-hand side. Alternatively, the programme is listed on our events calendar here.
A number of sessions will be delivered live on Forward Carer’s Facebook page, make sure you don’t miss out and like and follow our page.
Some of the events will be delivered via Zoom, If you are unsure how to use this virtual platform, take a look at our guide.
Partner Activities for Carers Week
Some of our partners will be hosting a mix of events during Carers Week.
Coping with Anxiety – Monday 7 June
Michael Behan, founder of the JAT Club will be speaking about and discussing anxiety on Monday 7 June at 11am. If you would like to join call Rafiya or Lydia and they will dial you into a teams call. Rafiya -0799 044 2300, Lydia – 0758 615 7944
Meet the Hub Team – Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 June
Age Concern Birmingham delivers Birmingham Carers Hub contact centre and advice line. Carers, this is your chance to pop by and say hello to members of the advice team from Birmingham Carers Hub during Carers Week. To find out the details, click here.
Covid and Beyond, Caring for Carers Mental Health Wellbeing and Resilience – Tuesday 8 June
A presentation from Home Group, Councillor Paulette Hamilton and Dr Justin Varney. Simon Fenton, CEO of Forward Carers will also be on the panel. More information is available here.
First Aid Training – Wednesday 9 June and Friday 11 June
Our partner Midland Mencap will offer first aid training at Clifton Road on Wednesday and at Weoley Castle Community Centre on Friday. Click here to look at other Midland Mencap events during Carers Week.
Picnic in the Park
Pack your hamper for a cultural bring and share picnic in Cannon Hill Park on Wednesday 9 June from 11am to 2pm (subject to the weather). To keep to Covid-19 rules, Oscar Birmingham will allow up to 30 people.
Let’s get Physical – Thursday 10 June
Join Nora for a special FREE session for carer’s week. A mat based holistic session incorporating strength, endurance with guided stretch to help carers build lean muscles, strengthen the back and core, lengthening for stress reduction. Booking is essential – Nora@envolvewell.co.uk or call Nora on 07707 931 439.
For a full list of activities throughout Carers Week, click the button below.
