Carers Week 2024
Carers Week is taking place from 10th – 16th June 2024 and this year’s theme is ‘Putting carers on the map’. Carers Week is an annual campaign designed to raise awareness and understanding of some of the issues faced by unpaid carers, and is a time to recognise the contribution made by carers throughout the country. It’s also an opportunity for people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access support that is available.
A carer is someone who provides unpaid care to someone who has a disability, illness, is frail, has a mental health condition or addiction. Many unpaid carers do not recognise themselves as a carer, they see it’s just looking after their spouse or partner, child, friend or neighbour. If you are providing unpaid care to someone, find out how we can support you.
Our Carers Week Events
Monday 10th June
Carers MK @ Westcroft Carers Group
10.30am – 12pm at Morrisons Community Room in Morrisons Supermarket, Westcroft District Centre, 4 Barnsdale Drive, Westcroft, MK4 4DD
Join us at our Carers MK @ Westcroft Group and meet other carers, share information and get support from one of our experienced carer support workers. No booking required, just come along!
Emergency Planning Workshop for adult and parent carers
1.30pm – 2.30pm via Zoom
Being prepared can’t stop emergencies happening, but it can make them just a little bit easier to manage at a time when you need it most. Join us to look at how we can prepare for an emergency. This session will be held via Zoom. Anyone wishing to join will be sent a link for you to gain access to the session.
Tuesday 11th June
Pottery Painting Workshop for adult and parent carers
Fully booked.
10am – 12pm at Playful Pottery, 36 Benbow Court, Shenley Church End, Milton Keynes, MK5 5JG
Enjoy a fun, relaxing morning at the Playful Pottery Studio at Shenley Church End. Create masterpieces for you to take home and enjoy, connect with other carers and have time to yourself.
Men’s Wellbeing Walk & Talk Group
10.30am | Meet at the outside the Caldecotte Pub, Bletcham Way, Caldecotte, Milton Keynes, MK7 8HP
Join us for a walk at Caledcotte Lake. Meet other male carers, chat with people who understand, make new friends, enjoy being out in nature, walk at your own pace. No need to book, just turn up! For more information, please contact us on 01908 231703 or email us.
Dementia Carers Group via Zoom
1pm – 2.30pm via Zoom
Join us at our Dementia Carers Group and meet others who are caring for someone with dementia, share information and to get support from one of our experienced carer support workers.
Mindful Art For Parent Carers Six Weeks Course
6.30pm – 7.30 via Zoom (weekly) Link will be sent out in advance.
Join us for six weeks online Mindful Art workshops, starting on 11th June. Have fun, relax and enjoy time out for yourself. No previous experience necessary. Materials pack will be provided to each attendee. Places are limited. If you’re interested in attending, please request your place by 4th June. We will be randomly allocating places, and will contact you if you have been selected.
Wednesday 12th June
Carers Writing Group via Zoom
10.30am – 12pm via Zoom
Do you enjoy putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard)? Our Carers Writing Group is a great place to meet like-minded people. Whatever your skill level, everyone is welcome to join us.
Sugar & Spice Lunch Club
12pm at Namji, 4 The Square, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, MK12 5DG
Join us to meet other carers and eat lunch together. Vegetarian food and a soft drink will be provided. Places are limited. If you’re interested in attending, please request your place by midday on 7th June. We will be randomly allocating places, and will contact you if you have been selected.
Going forward, this group will meet monthly and carers will be invited to bring & share food from around the world.
Crafternoon For Carers
1.30pm – 2.30pm at Costa Coffee in Milton Keynes University Hospital
Bring your crafts along with you. A relaxed and fun session to meet other carers and make new friends. Our dedicated Hospital Support Worker will be available to chat to if you have any hospital related questions. No need to book, just turn up! For more information, please contact us on 01908 231703 or email us. Going forward, this group will meet weekly.
Carers MK @ Great Linford Carers Group
2pm – 3.30pm at Great Linford Parish Council, 1 St Leger Court, Great Linford, Milton Keynes, MK14 5HA
Join us at our Carers MK @ Great Linford Group and meet other carers, share information and get support from one of our experienced carer support workers. No booking required, just come along!
Evening Online Carers Group via Zoom
6pm – 7.30pm via Zoom
For some carers, it can be difficult to access support for themselves during the day. This might be because of the support that they give to the person they care for during the day or they might be in paid work during normal office hours. Facilitated by an experienced support worker, on hand to answer any questions, the group is also the opportunity to meet and gain support from other carers. Booking required.
Thursday 13th June
Flower Arranging Workshop for adult and parent carers
Fully booked.
10.30am – 12pm at Jeanette’s Flower Displays, 7 London Road, Newport Pagnell, MK16 0HA
Make a beautiful table decoration with fresh flowers to take home and enjoy. Plus meet and chat to other carers. The workshop is being delivered by Jeanette Spiers of Jeanette’s Flower Displays.
Information Stand at Milton Keynes University Hospital
11am – 3pm at Milton Keynes University Hospital, Standing Way, Eaglestone, Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD
We will have an information stand in the main reception of Milton Keynes University Hospital. Come and say hi to one of our support workers and find out how Carers MK can support you in your caring role.
Guided Evening Walk Followed By Drinks
6pm until approx. 8pm | Meet outside the Warbler on the Wharf pub
Join us for a relaxed, circular walk, starting and finishing at the Campbell Wharf Marina. The walk, led by Nicky Kenny, will be alongside a section of the canal and will explore some of the sculpture and public art in Campbell Park. The walk will take approximately one hour. We will meet outside the Warbler on the Wharf pub at 6pm, where we will return after the walk for hot/cold drinks and a chat. Please wear weather appropriate footwear and clothing. Places are limited. If you’re interested in attending, please request your place by midday on 7th June. We will be randomly allocating places, and will contact you if you have been selected.
Friday 14th June
Legal Advice Clinic Telephone Appointments with Tonina Ashby from HRC Hewitsons Milton Keynes
Fully booked.
Do you have a burning question about Wills or Powers of Attorney? Want to know more about care funding or how best to protect vulnerable loved ones? Or perhaps you would like to be able to support your vulnerable loved ones by managing their finances for them? Tonina is a Solicitor and Partner with HCR Hewitsons specialising in supporting vulnerable individuals and their families with legal advice. Tonina has a wealth of experience in dealing with Court of Protection applications, Care Funding, Deputyships, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Wills and Trusts.
Book Club For Carers
10am – 11am at The Grumpy Cook, The Pavilion, Linceslade Grove, Loughton, Milton Keynes, MK5 8DJ
Discuss what you are reading with other carers; either reading the same book or your own book. Share your reviews, or just simply sit in peace with no distractions and enjoy an hour to yourself reading a book and having a hot drink. No need to book, just turn up! For more information, please contact us on 01908 231703 or email us.
G.E.M (Global Ethnic Majorities) Support Group
1.30pm-2.30pm at Trinity Centre, Fishermead Boulevard, Fishermead, Milton Keynes, MK6 2LA
A peer-to-peer support group for carers from Black African, Black Caribbean, Black British, Asian and Multiple Ethnic backgrounds. Meet other carers, get information and advice, or just come for a break to play cards/dominoes and make friends. No need to book, just turn up! For more information, please contact us on 01908 231703 or email us.