Wednesday 1 June: 10am-1pm
Virtual volunteer drop-in – everyone welcome!
Are you interested in volunteering? Do you want to find out more about our roles? Our volunteer and carer support officer and listening support officer Kate and Natalie will be holding a virtual volunteer drop in from 10am-1pm to share information on our volunteer programme, what its like to be part of the volunteering team at Carers Wales and the benefits of volunteering. Ask questions and find out how you can get involved!
Monday 6 June: 2-3pm
Carer to Carer Tips
Come along to our Carer to Carer Tips session to have an informal chat and meet other carers and share tips on anything that has been useful for you to know as a carer. Share any tips you have whilst finding out from other carers tips that you may not have been aware of.
Tuesday 7 June: 3-4pm
Speech and language therapy – Tips for Carers
Join Emma, a speech and language therapist, who will be running a session on supporting someone with their speech. She will be discussing tips and advice for the person whose speech is affected as well as the conversation partners.
The session will also include eating and drinking abilities as this can also be affected, again sharing tips for how to support someone with these tasks. All attendees will receive handouts and materials at the end of the session and there will be time for you to ask questions.
Tuesday 7 June: 6-7pm
Tips for working carers
One in seven people who work in Wales also provides unpaid care for family or friends. Working carers are the group most likely to miss out on information and advice and are the least likely to have any formal support at home. Without support, working carers can struggle inside and outside the workplace. However, with the appropriate support in place, working carers can function effectively in both capacities and are a vital element in the Welsh economic landscape.
Join Jane, Employers for Carers Wales Hub Manager, and Catherine, Employers for Carers Officer, who will be giving tips for those of you who are balancing work and care and signposting to the vital support that is available
This session is for 1 hour
Wednesday 8 June: 1:00pm-2:30pm
Carers Rights
Caring can be rewarding but also very isolating. You may not know what your legal rights are, what help may be available and what you can ask for, how to ask, or indeed who to ask.
Our self-advocacy training aims to help you understand your rights as a carer and the system, as well as consider ways for you to be able to negotiate with professionals in a positive way. This training aims to give you the information and skills to get your message across effectively to ensure your needs are properly considered.
This session is for 2.5 hours
Wednesday 8 June: 3pm-4pm
Understanding autism – Tips for carers
Chris Haines, external affairs manager for the National Autistic Society Cymru, gives a presentation on Understanding Autism. The session includes some autism myth-busting and top tips for being more autism-friendly. There will be time at the end of the session for questions and answers.
Thursday 9 June: 2pm-3pm
Handling and lifting
Would you like to find out more about how to handle and lift safely whilst ensuring you are looking after yourself? This session will be run by physiotherapist Barry from Craven Complete. Barry has over 20 years of experience in various settings (NHS and private) and his extensive experience means he provides a complete service which is honest and effective.
Friday 10 June: 1-2pm
Looking After Your Sleep
Sleep is so important for our wellbeing and to be able to function properly. Look after yourself by finding out more about how to look after your sleep in this session.
Kerry has attended two sleep schools certified by the British Medical Journal and is an avid member of the British Sleep Society. Kerry has also trained with The Sleep Charity as a children’s sleep practitioner and as a learning disability nurse and taught in a school for teenagers at risk of exclusion. She’s had many roles within mental health, hospital settings, schools and with families of children with SEN, providing her with extensive knowledge on how to help almost any family.
Now, with almost ten years of experience and training under her pillow, Kerry has mastered the art of making complex sleep science accessible to thousands of families, professionals and teenagers via the NHS, local authorities and private clients.
Saturday 11 June: 10.00-12.45pm
Carers Week Me Time Special: Wellbeing Morning
Join us for our relaxing Saturday morning session for Carers Week. Saturday's theme is all about mental health and wellbeing and so we have planned a relaxing, calming morning where you can enjoy 4 taster sessions.
All carers who attend will receive a pack from us beforehand and chatting and connecting will be encouraged amongst the sessions. Drop in and out as you please or join us for the whole morning!
The morning will run from 10 am - 12.45 pm and the timetable looks like this:
10-10.15 – Welcome
10.15-10.45 – Attend anywhere (Learn how to reach GPs for free anytime, anywhere!)
10.45-11.15 - Orchestra Vitae - Music and relaxation
11.15-11.30 – Coffee break and chat
11.30-12.00 – Looking after your mental health
12.00-12.30 – Creative journaling
12.30-12.45 – Chat, questions & close
Sign up for the wellbeing morning here
Monday 13th June: 2-3pm
Tai Chi with Paul Hodge
Centre yourself with this free Tai Chi course and take an hour to relax from your caring responsibilities.
This Tai Chi session is run by Paul Hodge, an instructor with Tai Chi for Better Health, who will teach us a basic sequence of Tai Chi to help to improve mental health and physical wellbeing. If you’ve not tried Tai Chi before – come along and join us for a relaxed and friendly session.
This session is for one hour
Tuesday 14 June: 11am-12pm
Coping with change
Do you struggle with change? Change is inevitable, but it can be stressful and filled with anxiety. Change can be taking a step into the unknown and finding yourself outside your comfort zone. We can't always prevent changes, but in this session, we'll look at ways to feel more resilient to the stress that change brings and get a bit comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Tuesday 14 June: 2-3pm
Mindfulness with Mike Buckley
Lose yourself for an hour of mindfulness meditation with 'Mindfulness' Mike.
It's easy to get caught up in a pattern of swirling thoughts—thinking about a laundry list of things that need to be done, ruminating on past events, or could-be situations of the future—and learning mindfulness can help. But what exactly is mindfulness?
It can be defined as a mental state that involves being fully focused on "the now" so you can acknowledge and accept your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment. Mindfulness meditation is a mental training practice that teaches you to slow down racing thoughts, let go of negativity, and calm both your mind and body.
This session will help you to learn mindfulness techniques in a safe and supportive class.
"In the first breathing exercise, I realised how busy my mind is but by the third exercise I was completely relaxed and my mind actually switched off for a period of time - which is a fantastic achievement for me." - previous attendee
This session will be for 1 hour.
Tuesday, June 14: 6-7pm
Zumba
Hey Everyone, my name is Hayley & I've been a Zumba lover for 5 years & a Zumba instructor for 2 years. I absolutely love everything about Zumba Fitness, I like to think of it as 'exercise in disguise'. The music, the moves & the positive energy that movement creates are all addictive.
My classes have a range of rhythms including Salsa, Merengue & Reggaeton with easy-to-follow steps and uplifting music. Whether you are a dancefloor diva or a complete beginner, the only thing to remember is the best dancer is the one having the most fun so grab some water, wear something comfortable & bring your best Salsa smile, I'll be waiting & I'm super excited to dance with you!
This session is for 1 hour
Wednesday 15 June: 1.30-2.30pm
Hospital discharge
Deciding to care or continue caring for someone who is coming out of hospital and who can no longer care for themselves in the same way as before can be very difficult.
This session outlines what to consider if you’re looking to care for someone who is coming out of hospital, especially if their needs have changed. We will explain what to expect, the steps that should be followed, your rights as a carer and what to do if things go wrong.
This session is for 1 hour.
Wednesday, June 15: 6-7pm
The Danish art of cosy
What is the Danish Art of Cosy? The Danish Art of Cosy is a session about Hygge, it's a feeling that is created and allows you to learn about small practices that promote a feeling of wellbeing and contentment. Finding joy in the ‘small’ things such as dining by candlelight.
Come along to find the joy in the everyday things!
Monday 20 June: 2pm-3pm
The Importance of Nutrition
As a carer, eating a balanced diet is essential to provide your body with all the nutrients it needs. A balanced diet will keep your body strong and give you enough energy to provide the best care for the person you are caring for and yourself. Join this session to find out more!
Tuesday 21 June: 6.00-6.45pm
Pilates
Are you feeling tense? Pilates provides mindful distraction, helping to manage stress and improve relaxation of the shoulders, neck and back.
The low-impact, functional movements build core strength and improve posture, balance and mobility. This session is suitable for all levels of ability.
Wednesday, June 22: 6-8pm
Creative Journaling
Get together with other carers to unwind, relax and reflect. Creative journaling will allow you to explore your self-worth through being creative! This will be a 2-hour session run by Liz Thomas at Soul Creative Circle. All you need is a good pair of scissors, magazines and a piece of card or a book.
Thursday 23 June: 2.30-4.30pm
Craft: Diamond Dotz
Find out how to create sparkly art pieces in this fun and relaxing craft! Diamond Dotz are sparkly little dots that you will place on the sticky fabric using the enclosed stylus. They are shiny and faceted on top which gives the awesome “sparkle” to the entire piece as it’s assembled.
Materials for this session will be provided, but we will be closing registration 13 days prior to the session in order to get them sent out to you. There will also be a limit of 15 spaces available - so please book early to secure your spot!
This session is for 2 hours.
This session has now been closed to allow time for materials to be sent out.
Friday 24 June: 2pm - 3pm
Music and Relaxation - with a live sound bath
Could you do with some relaxation? This session will focus on stress-reducing, soothing and relaxing sounds with tuned percussion instruments, and voice. Sound and music have been used for thousands of years to relax and rebalance our bodies and minds when life is complicated.
Being immersed in harmonic sounds allows the body to rebalance and can regulate the central nervous system so that we feel safe and connected to those around us.
The session will be played live and comprises a short guided meditation, with Himalayan singing bowls, vocal chanting and toning; ending with silence and gentle percussion with instruments such as rain sticks, rattles and Koshi chimes. Please use headphones to get the best experience!
Monday 27 June: 6.00pm-7.30pm
How to make your money go further – tips for carers (Part 1)
Please note, that it would be helpful for you to book onto both sessions on the 27th & 29th of June, but there is no requirement to attend both if you can only make one
With the cost of living increasing, we all want to know how to make our money go further. This two-part workshop will allow carers to discuss how to make the most of their money.
The session will cover:
• How to stretch and manage limited budgets
• Share tips on making savings when shopping, using financial services and paying bills
• Get information on schemes like the warm home discount, reduced tariffs for gas and electricity and better deals on your water bill
• Identify goals for managing money
Tues 28 June: 11am-12pm
Opening up communication
Do you struggle to open up or ask for help? When navigating the ups and downs of life, open communication can be the key to feeling supported and supporting a friend, family member or partner. In this session, we'll look at how taking notice, listening and making small changes can go a long way toward building stronger relationships.
Tuesday, June 28: 2.30-3.30pm
Carer to carer tips
Join us to connect with other carers, share useful tips and discover things you may not have known from other carers!
Tuesday 28 June: 6:00pm-8:30pm
Flower arranging
Are you looking for a way to unwind? Grab yourself some supermarket flowers and we’ll show you how to arrange them like a pro! There’s plenty of top tips, advice and know-how about flower care and flower arranging as well as a few floristry secrets. You’ll need flowers (any variety you fancy) a vase and a good pair of scissors.
Wednesday 29 June: 6.00pm-7.30pm
How to make your money go further – tips for carers (Part 2)
With the cost of living increasing, we all want to know how to make our money go further. This two-part workshop will allow carers to discuss how to make the most of their money.
The session will cover:
• How to stretch and manage limited budgets
• Share tips on making savings when shopping, using financial services and paying bills
• Get information on schemes like the warm home discount, reduced tariffs for gas and electricity and better deals on your water bill
• Identify goals for managing money
Thursday 30 June: 2:30pm – 4:00pm
Chocolate tasting workshop
Do you want to relax and unwind with a variety of delicious chocolates?! Join us for a chocolate tasting workshop and find out the history of chocolate tasting before indulging in 8 different chocolates!
There are only 10 spaces available so if you register and are unable to make it, please let me know in advance.
This session has now been closed for new registrations.