A Review of Carers Week

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise 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.

The campaign is brought to life by thousands of individuals and organisations who come together to provide support for carers, run activities, highlight the vital role carers play in our communities and draw attention to just how important caring is.

Our programme of free events and activities to support the national campaign (5-11 June) was designed to help unpaid carers directly - plus health and social care professionals that refer or signpost carers to our services. Our thanks go to all the carers, staff and our partners that joined in to make the week a great success. Take a look below at some of the images and details for each day.

Monday 5 June

Live on BBC Radio Sheffield: Live interviews with our CEO (Kerry Jones Kensah) and other unpaid carers on the Paulette Edwards show. Our interviews start 1 hour and 12 mins into the programme and you can To listen click here >>>

Online Focus Group: Four unpaid carers and healthcare professionals joined some of our team and gave some great feedback and ideas to help us develop the draft animated video we’re producing for carers when the person they care-for is staying in hospital.

In-person Workshop for Carers: This event was held at Crystal Peaks and attended by nine unpaid carers. It looked at the theory & practicality of moving and handling cared-for people.

Online Training for Professionals: Over seventy Council staff involved with Adult Care & Wellbeing joined our CEO and Health Liaison Officer for an update on how we’re working in partnership to support carers in Sheffield.

Tuesday 5 June

Film Screening for Carers: Over twenty carers watched excerpts of the powerful award-winning documentary 'Much Ado about Dying'. This was followed with an open and honest session where the director answered questions from the audience. To watch a trailer of film click here >>>

Video about the new Carers Involvement Network: This new network for current and/or past carers was formally launched with a video featuring our CEO explaining the background to the initiative and how carers can be involved. To watch click here >>>

Wednesday 7 June

Drop-In Event at The Moor Market: Shoppers were invited to visit the stall for free advice from some of our Carer Centre staff and free health checks from NHS Nurses. The drop-in stall was also open the following day and proved very popular with the public on both Wednesday and Thursday.

In-person Sports & Games Session: Thanks to our partners at Sheffield City Trust who enabled over 20 unpaid carers to spend a couple of hours at Ponds Forge Sports Centre enjoying free access to a range of sports and chair based exercise and relaxation sessions.

Online Training for Professionals: Over 40 professionals from local health, social care, education and the voluntary sectors joined this free workshop that was delivered jointly by Sheffield Carers Centre and Sheffield Young Carers.

Thursday 8 June

Drop-In Event at The Moor Market: Like the day before, shoppers were invited to visit the stall for free advice from some of our Carer Centre staff and free health checks from NHS Nurses

In-person Activity for Carers: Seventeen carers joined us at the official launch of our monthly meetings for carers at the SAGE Greenfingers allotment. The activity provides the chance for carers to enjoy some fresh air and gentle craft work in a peaceful and relaxing environment.

Online Launch of Video for Local Businesses: We launched our new video to highlight some of the benefits for businesses that identify and support their carer employees. It includes examples of how some local and national businesses are helping carers in their workforce. Watch the video here >>>

Friday 9 June

In-person Super Carers Café: The week ended on a high with around sixty carers coming together with staff, volunteers and supporters to enjoy a morning of tea, coffee and cake. There was also an opportunity to try some craft work, take part in the raffle and listen or join in with the Carers Choir.