MeTime sessions for carers
Our MeTime online sessions are designed to inform you of your rights and to support your wellbeing.
Sessions vary from practical advice on carers' rights and caring to a set of holistic wellbeing sessions that range from confidence-building to creative opportunities like crafting.
Sessions are open to anyone across the UK.
Please be aware these sessions are run by Carers Wales and information sessions are based on Welsh legislation.
Below you will find details of the sessions coming up. To sign up, click the link and fill out a short registration form. We look forward to welcoming you to our friendly and supportive sessions!
November
Monday 4 November, 2-3pm: Book club
Come along to our informal and relaxed book club session! The session is a chance for carers to get together and take some time for themselves, have a chat with like-minded people and share the escapism of getting lost in a good book. If it is your first session, just bring your favourite book, we'd love to hear a bit about why it's your favourite.
Tuesday 5 November, 11am-12pm: Crafty catch-up
Join this online session to meet other carers whilst working on your latest craft project. Whether it is knitting, crochet, diamond dot art, card making, quilling, rock painting, jewellery making or simply anything you enjoy making. This session is informal and a chance to chat, create and connect with other carers.
Thursday 7 November, 12-1pm: Workplace Champion recruitment session
Carers Wales will be hosting a Workplace Champion recruitment session on Thursday 7 November at 12pm.
As the Carer's Leave Act came into legislation on 6 April 2024, now is the perfect time to recruit Workplace Champions within your organisation, to advise and guide those balancing work and care. Please share the attached social graphic across your organisation and networks. The session will be held online and is free to register.
Friday 8 November, 11am-12pm: Welsh Water Dwr Cymru
Are you a carer or being cared for by someone? Did you know that you may be eligible for a cheaper water bill, and other free support services from Welsh Water. Join Jody on the call to learn something new, and get the help that you may be missing out on.
Thursday 21 November, 11-12pm: Track The Act
Find out how carers' rights are being enacted in Wales with the exclusive webinar discussing Track The Act, Carers Wales' monitoring of how the Social Services and Wellbeing Act is really working for unpaid carers in Wales.
Monday 25 November, 11am-12pm: Carers Rights
Join our Information and Advice Officer Nia to explore carers rights in Wales and what you can do to secure your rights.
Tuesday 26 November 2024, 1-2.30pm: First aid training
This interactive first aid online workshop helps adults learn basic lifesaving skills using everyday objects. The workshop is not accredited, but is a free and simple way to improve your first aid knowledge and build confidence.
Wednesday 27 November, 1.30-2.30pm: Bryn Eryr (Iron Age) with Museum Wales
We are joined by the Museum Wales to find out what life in Wales was like 2,000 years ago. Join our resident Celt for a virtual tour of Bryn Eryr, our Iron Age roundhouses. Discover why the fire was so important, what food was eaten, and how clothes were made.
Wednesday 27 November, 12-1pm: Balancing work and care? What you need to know
Do you balance paid employment and unpaid care? Find out about your rights including the Carers Leave Act and what support you can request from your workplace.
December
Monday 2 December, 2-3pm: Book club
Come along to our informal and relaxed book club session! The session is a chance for carers to get together and take some time for themselves, have a chat with like-minded people and share the escapism of getting lost in a good book. If it is your first session, just bring your favourite book along, we'd love to hear a bit about why it's your favourite.
Tuesday 3 December, 1.30-2.30pm: Crafty catch up
Join this online session to meet other carers whilst working on your latest craft project. Whether it is knitting, crochet, diamond dot art, card making, quilling, rock painting, jewellery making or simply anything you enjoy making. This session is informal and a chance to chat, create and connect with other carers.
Friday 6 December, 11-11.30am: Talking all things joy with Leah Evans - how to protect your own joy at Christmas
Come and join Joy Coach, Leah Evans for a half-hour session where we will explore the essence of joy, what excites and lights you up, and how to overcome obstacles that hinder your joy. We will delve into tips, tools, and techniques to help you. With a special focus on Christmas, we will discuss how to facilitate joy for others while remembering that our joy is equally important.
Wednesday 11 December, 1-2pm: Getting the most out of your Carers Needs Assessment
Come and join our I&A Officer Nia Constant who will explain how to get the most out of your Carers Needs Assessment.
January
Thursday 9 January, 11am-12pm: Welsh Water Dwr Cymru
Are you a carer or being cared for by someone? Did you know that you may be eligible for a cheaper water bill, and other free support services from Welsh Water. Join Jody on the call to learn something new, and get the help that you may be missing out on.
Thursday 16 January, 1-2pm: Crafty catch-up
Join this online session to meet other carers whilst working on your latest craft project. Whether it is knitting, crochet, diamond dot art, card making, quilling, rock painting, jewellery making or simply anything you enjoy making. This session is informal and a chance to chat, create and connect with other carers.
Monday 20 January, 11am-12pm: Brightening Blue Monday
Join Carers Wales Information and Advice Officer Nia to discuss ways to combat Blue Monday and look ahead towards the new year in a positive way. Nia will discuss exercises available to you as well as opportunities for carers in Wales.
Thursday 23rd January: 1-2pm - Cwmpas and Business Wales Social Enterprise and Starting Your Own Self Employment Business
Cwmpas and Business Wales Social Enterprise and Starting Your Own Self Employment Business
A brief introduction on becoming self employed and what you should consider when starting a business. We will introduce you to understanding your responsibilities with HMRC, compliance obligations, promoting your services, networking and marketing and making sure you have enough money to live on. It will be an informal session and plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
The session will help you to gain an understanding of non-profit legal structures, investigate the idea and benefits of cooperation and how the Social Services and Well Being Act (Wales) sets out the duty of local authorities to support co-operatives with examples.
Wednesday 29 January, 12-1.30pm: Power of Attorney session
Damian Lines TEP is the Managing Partner at Rubin Lewis O’Brien Solicitors based in Cwmbran, South Wales. He will be running a session on what you need to know about setting up Power of Attorney for your loved ones.
February
Wednesday 5 February, 1.30-2.30pm: Homefront WWII with National Museum Wales
What was life in Wales like during WWII? Explore WWII related objects with our facilitator, discover the stories behind them and be inspired to investigate how your local area contributed to the war effort.
Monday 10 February, 1-2pm: Working carers - what you need to know!
Do you balance paid employment and unpaid care? Find out about your rights including the Carers Leave Act and what support you can request from your workplace.
Wednesday 12 February, 12.30-1.30pm: Mental resilience and wellbeing for carers
In this session we are joined by Kerry Seymour from Inspired To Change and will look at:
- What is meant by resilience and wellbeing?
- The impact of stress
- How stress is created in the brain
- Tools and techniques to reduce stress and boost resilience.
Tuesday 18 February, 11am-12pm: Wellbeing in nature
Dawn Parker, a horticultural therapy practitioner and project development officer, works within a community garden and woodland in Pontypridd, South Wales. She will discuss how gardening and nature can serve as therapeutic interventions to enhance physical and mental well-being.
Some of the benefits of therapeutic horticulture include:
- Stress and pain reduction
- Improved mood
- Increased physical activity
- A sense of connection to nature
- Fostering independence and self-esteem
Discover how to use indoor gardening, along with nature-inspired crafts and connections to achieve your own wellbeing goals.
March
Wednesday 12 March, 11am-12pm: Welsh Water Dwr Cymru
Are you a carer or being cared for by someone? Did you know that you may be eligible for a cheaper water bill, and other free support services from Welsh Water. Join Jody on the call to learn something new, and get the help that you may be missing out on.
April
Self Employment with Social Firms Wales
Meet staff from Social Firms Wales who will explore ideas for self-employment opportunities that could potentially be developed alongside your caring responsibilities. Learn about how Self-Employment can bring in an extra income whilst boosting your sense of identity, confidence and skills.
Social Firms Wales will also give you the basics on the steps you need to take to become self-employed, the key things to consider and some of the pro’s and con’s of being your own boss.
The session will be delivered by Jan Barwell, Enterprise Development Advisor at Social Firms Wales.