Carers Week 2021
From a celebration at the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden to online meditation sessions and art classes, Carers across Hackney are coming together for a week of advice and support sessions as part of National Carers Week (7-13 June).
Alongside hosting a celebration event for Carers, Cllr Chris Kennedy, Cabinet Member for adult social care, has also signed the Council up to the Carers Week ‘Add Your Voice' campaign. This will help move Hackney towards being a Carer friendly borough, which will see the Council working with Carers to get their voices heard and support their wellbeing.
Carers are unpaid and look after family, a partner or friend in need of help because they are ill, frail or have a disability. Carers Week is an annual campaign that highlights the challenges unpaid Carers face and recognises 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.
Make Caring Visible and Valued is the theme for this years’ Carers Week and will focus on the importance of not only recognising carers, but also valuing them for the vital contribution they make every day.
As a council, we recognise the incredible work that our unpaid Carers do tirelessly to care for family, friends and loved ones who simply couldn't manage without their support. The pandemic over the last year has shown starkly how hugely our unpaid Carers are relied upon and are integral to the good health and wellbeing of the people they are caring for with or without the support of statutory services. Hackney is committed to improving services for Carers, and to valuing their important role beyond Carers week by working towards making Hackney a truly Carer aware and a Carer friendly borough.
Look below at the timetable of Carers Week events in Hackney. If you think you may be a Carer, or are a Carer in Hackney and would like more information on the support on offer, including the Carers discount card which has discounts of up to 50% at local leisure centres and shops, then visit www.hackney.gov.uk/carers. You can also call Carers First on 0300 303 1555.
Residents can also download the I Love Hackney Carers poster to display in their windows in support of local carers.
Hackney's Pledge as a part of Carers week 2021
We pledge to make Caring visible in Hackney this Carers Week by:
- Working together with our statutory and community partners to offer a range of wellbeing events for Hackney’s unpaid Carers
- Inviting young, adult, working and all other unpaid Carers together with Hackney staff to attend an opening event to honour and celebrate the contribution made by our unpaid Carers and to raise awareness
- Running workshops with Adult Social Services staff to focus on best practice when supporting families and Carers
- Hosting a virtual afternoon tea for unpaid Carers (and allies of) within our Hackney workforce as a space to reflect and share
- Raising awareness throughout Hackney via all forms of media of the needs, the value and achievements of our unpaid Carers; reaching out to those members of our community who may not recognise themselves as Carers and sending the message to the people of Hackney that Hackney’s unpaid Carers are everyone’s business
Events for Carers Week 2021
7 June 11.30am - Hackney’s Opening Celebration for Carers Week
Come along to the beautiful Dalston Eastern Curve Gardens for the opening of Carers Week 2021. The morning will begin with some opening words from Cllr Chris Kennedy, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care & Leisure, followed by the opportunity to mix with other carers over a delicious light lunch in a relaxed & informal setting. If you would like to book a place for yourself/for you & the person you care for then please email: caroline.allouf@hackney.gov.uk
7 June 11.30am and 3pm - Wellbeing
Face reflexology, essential oils and ways to get moving.
8 June 11.30am and 1.30pm - ARGO Life
Useful information around the Power of Attorney. Capacity, Wills, Trust, and NHS Continuing Care.
8 June 3-4pm - Making a Playlist for Life
Spend an hour at this practical workshop exploring how to identify and capture musical memories for the person you care for – including how to have conversations about music; howto find the right music and ways to capture and listen to the playlist. Facilitated by JoanneMorton - St Joseph’s Namaste Care Co-ordinator for Tower Hamlets & Playlist for Lifevolunteer.
9 June 3pm Carers Get together – Afternoon Cream Tea
Come along and celebrate carers week with us and your peers, you will be entertained with poetry and imagery from over the last year from the peer support groups across London. We will be posting cream tea`s to your address prior to the event.
9 June 2-3:30pm – Taking Care of You
Join our Wednesday wellbeing workshop for carers, as part of Carers Week 2021 at StJoseph’s Hospice. Co-facilitated by St Joseph’s counsellor Ruby Singh and Carers ServiceCoordinator Jo Bedford, this virtual session will provide a space to meet with other carers to have a conversation about the challenges in finding time for self-care, and reflecting on positive and kind ways to prioritise wellbeing when you’re a carer.
10 June 1.30pm - Chi Gung Movement Meditation with Lina
Put a spring in your step with relaxing and revitalising Chi Gung movement meditation
11 June 1.30pm - Laughter and Happiness Workshop with Lina
Laughter is the best medicine! Laughing and smiling increases our body’s natural feel good endorphins, boosts our immune system, and helps lower our stress levels.
11 June 3.15pm - Art with Jane
An introduction to observing, drawing, and painting plants.