Carers Week 7th – 13th June 2021

This year, Carers Week takes place on 7th-13th June 2021. The week celebrates and recognises the vital contribution made by the UK’s 6.5 million unpaid carers – over 69,000 in East Sussex – who look after a relative, friend or neighbour who couldn’t manage without them.

This year’s focus is ‘Making Caring Visible and Valued’, and we’re asking carers and the community to come together to make caring visible and valued throughout the week. Carers and their friends and family, partner organisations and local businesses can all get involved to recognise and celebrate carers, and show support.

As a community it is important that we help identify carers so that they can access information and support.  Three in 5 of us will become a carer at some point in our lives. It can happen at any time and to anyone, and it has a huge impact on a person’s life. Find out more about what carers do here.

Here’s how to show your support

• Download our posters and post a photo on social media to spread the word. Download I’m supporting Carers Week poster here and We’re supporting Carers Week poster here
• Download social media posts to share with your friends and family: Facebook post, Instagram post, Instagram story, Twitter tweet.
• Tag us in – Twitter @care4thecarers, Facebook @careforthecarers, Instagram @careforthecarers
• Use hashtags:  #CarersWeekEastSussex, #CarersWeek and #CareForTheCarers
• We are asking carers to share one thing that would make you more visible as a carer and one thing that would make your more valued as a carer. Share your thoughts on video, on social media and tag us in, or email  sonyab@cftc.org.uk 
• Alternatively, email your thoughts in words, a poem or a short story to sonyab@cftc.org.uk
• Add Carers Week to your email signature, signature here.
• Raise awareness and make carers visible in your community. This could include an employer helping their workforce who are carers, a GP practice offering an annual health check and flexible appointment times to carers. Or a business offering special deals for carers with the carers card.
• Everyone can make your voices heard on the Carers Week Voices Wall here or pledge your support here.
• We have a campaign pack that everyone can download and use, with or without your logo. Download our campaign pack here.
• Add your voice to the Carers Week campaign calling on the UK Government and your local MP to increase funding for carers breaks by £50 per week, so that all carers, providing significant hours of care, can take a break. Take action here.

Digital resources for carers

We are launching new, digital resources from Carers UK on 7th June 2021. Carers will be able to register for free access to resources that includes information, e-learning, videos and guides on a range of carers topics and the Jointly App to help carers look after the person they care for. Look out for more information on our website and social media.

Employers for Carers membership

We’re also making Employers for Carers membership available for free to employers with up to 250 staff, to empower employers to support their staff who are also unpaid carers. Membership includes free carer awareness training, networking events and resources to help managers support carers. More information and the code for membership access is here.

Carers Week events

There are many free events and workshops happening during Carers Week, take a look below or at our events calendar and join an activity!

Monday 7th June

Parent Carer Wellbeing Course.  A free 6-week online wellbeing course for parent carers in East Sussex, who are looking after a child or children under 18. 10am-12pm. Find out more.

Carers Information & Advice Group, Herstmonceux.  A relaxing and informal space for carers to take a break and get together. 10am – 12pm, takes place online. Find out more.

Mental Health Carers Group. A relaxed and friendly group for carers of people with mental health issues. East Sussex. 3pm – 5pm, takes place online. Find out more.

Tuesday 8th June

Carers Information & Advice Group, Willingdon.  A relaxing and informal space for carers to take a break and get together. 10am – 12pm, takes place online. Find out more.

Carers O’Clock Drop-In Day.  Celebrate Carers Week and join a free, drop-in day of creative activities, conversation and a delicious lunch.    10am – 6pm at Community Wise, Eastbourne. Enjoy drinks and food prepared by a professional chef. Find out more.

Benefits Talk for Carers. Join this online talk with Teresa Andrews from Hastings Advice and Representation Centre about benefits, with the chance to ask questions. 6pm. Contact us for joining details.

Emotional wellbeing and journaling online event.  In this Carers UK event, you will explore what emotional wellbeing is and get tips on ways to help boost your emotional wellbeing followed by a guided journaling exercise. 11:00am-12:00pm.  More information here.

Wednesday 9th June

Carers Wellbeing Group, Lewes and Seaford. Social and informal space for carers to take a break and get together with a cup of tea or coffee.  10am – 12pm, takes place online. Find out more.

Carer Awareness Training.  Join our online professional training for East Sussex employers, businesses, health and social care professionals and volunteers working with carers. 10am – 12.30pm, takes place online. Find out more. 

Carers Wellbeing Cruise.  Take a Wellbeing Cruise and have time for yourself to unwind, have fun, meet other carers and explore wellbeing.   1pm – 3pm, takes place online. Find out more.

Thursday 10th June

Carers Week Walk and Talk with Coffee. Join our accessible, relaxing walk at beautiful Gildredge Park, Eastbourne. 10:30 am. Social distancing rules will be observed. Find out more.

Dementia Carers Group Seaford.  A fun and social space for carers of people with dementia to attend with the person they care for, or on their own. Includes reminiscing activities. 2pm – 4pm, takes place online. Find out more.

Beginners Latin Dance session.  Join Carers UK’s Salsa and Bachata session with an introduction to both Salsa and Bachata footwork and body movement. For beginners. 4pm – 5:00pm. More information here.

Friday 11th June

Join Mind’s Spring and Summer Walk and Talk in Alexandra Park, Hastings. Meet at the bandstand and have a leisurely walk around the park with time to talk and reflect on nature. 2-3pm. Register by emailing jacy.kilvert@mindcharity.co.uk.

Throughout Carers Week, 7th -13th June

Activities all week. Association of Carers are holding online activities including chair yoga, coffee and chat, creative writing, craft, knit and natter and an art session. The activities will be fun, friendly and informal. Free. To book, phone: 01424 722309 or email: jane@associationofcarers.org.uk. Find out more.

Beyond Carer’s Week

Thursday 24th June

Young Carers Club.  Join our Young Carers Club for an evening of fun, games, jokes and laughter and meet with other young carers. For young carers in East Sussex, aged 5-17 years. 5pm – 6.30pm, takes place online. Find out more.

Tuesday 29th June

Cookery course for male carers.  Community Chef, Robin Van Creveld, is holding a hands-on, five-week cookery course for male carers. Learn to prepare delicious, affordable and healthy dishes using everyday ingredients as well as meet other people. The course starts on Tuesday 29th June through to Tuesday 27th July 2021, 11am – 2pm. Takes place at the  Lewes Community Kitchen. Cost is £5 for the five-week course and all ingredients are included. Find out more.

Throughout June

Carers Groups. Join a range of carers groups to unwind and meet other carers. Find out more.

More information about Carers Week is here.