Building a carer-friendly community in Richmond

From Monday 8 to Sunday 14 June, Carers Week shines a spotlight on the vital contribution of unpaid carers across our community and highlights the important of 'Building Carer Friendly Communities'.

Many people will take on a caring role at some point in their lives, supporting a family member, friend or neighbour with a disability, illness, addiction or age-related needs. Caring can be rewarding but also bring emotional and physical challenges, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds.

This year’s theme, ‘Building Carer Friendly Communities’, focuses on the difference that greater awareness, understanding and support can make to carers’ daily lives.

Whether you’re a carer, know someone who is, or represent a local organisation, everyone has a role to play in creating a more supportive community in Richmond.

Carers Week activities and offers

To mark Carers Week, Richmond Carers Centre is organising a special programme of free activities and workshops for carers throughout June.

Open to registered adult carers, the programme focuses on health and wellbeing, and offers carers a chance to relax, recharge and connect.

Activities include: 

• Cinema Lucky Dip
• Wellbeing sessions like yoga and mindfulness
• Creative art and music workshops
• Social gatherings
• Theatre and history tours
• Support and information for carers

Ongoing support for carers

Caring in any capacity, paid or unpaid, while rewarding, can also have its challenges.

There is a wide range of local support available for carers to support their health and wellbeing.

Our carer’s assessment and support service is designed to help you think about your situation and consider what support you need in your role as a carer.

These assessments help ensure carers receive the right help, whether practical, emotional or financial.

There are now different ways you can have a support conversation or complete a carer’s assessment, so you can choose what works best for you including contacting our online carer's support service.

You can also book an appointment with a GP to seek more support, they can offer flexible appointments and refer you to specialist services to help you look after your own health.

Find out more about looking after someone.

Richmond organisations are pledging their support for adult and young carers

The Richmond Adult and Young Carers’ Charter provides a shared framework for organisations to recognise and value unpaid carers in our workforce and communities, improve access to support, embed carer-friendly practices, and work together to improve outcomes. Local organisations can take actions to support what adult and young carers have told us is important to them.

If you’re part of an organisation, pledge your support for the charter and show your support for a carer-friendly Richmond.