During the last census, Carers UK estimated the number of unpaid carers in the UK to be around 10 million in 2022. This is around 15% of the UK population, and the numbers are increasing each year.
What makes somebody a carer? The role of a carer, as stated by Forward Carers in this article, includes the following:
- Personal Care – Support with dressing, washing, and toileting
- Domestic Care – Support with cooking, housework, and shopping
- Physical Care – Support with lifting, assisting, and helping when moving around
- Financial Care – Support with any financial affairs
- Health Care – Support with managing illness or a condition, or helping to administer medication
- Emotional Care – Support by being a listening ear, offering moral support, or simply providing company for someone who is feeling isolated
- Communication Care – Supporting or assisting with a listening or communication impairment, including translation, for example, when English is not the family’s first language
Many may not realise they are an unpaid carer, and although it does not define you, it is important to recognise your responsibilities and understand the support available to make your life a little easier.
The 2022 State of Caring survey clearly shows the negative effects unpaid caring can have on your physical and mental health and wellbeing. Stating; ‘21% carers said their physical health was ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ and 30% said their mental health was ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’’. Additionally, they state ‘29% of carers said they felt lonely often or always’.
This does not have to be the case. Here at Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC we hope to provide unpaid carers with the necessary support and resources to help make caring for a loved one a bit easier.
We have begun to compile a collection of all carer events and resources we have found in Birmingham. As we find more resources, we will update this blog, so make sure you keep checking in. If you are interested in any of the flyers below, please contact the organisation directly by clicking the link underneath the poster to avoid missing out!
(Please note all information is up to date at the time of posting).
Carers Emergency Response Service (CERS)
This service is FREE and runs across Birmingham and Solihull, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call 0121 442 2960, or email Jane.Cleary@cers.org.uk to arrange an emergency care plan for up to 48 hours (72 hours on bank holidays). Long term care options can also be arranged.
Crossroads Caring for Carers
A website full of useful resources accessible to carers in Sandwell, Dudley and Birmingham, including a 24/7 phone service (0121 553 6483).
Stroke Association – Stroke Recovery Service (Birmingham & Solihull)
A service offering advice and assistance to stroke survivors and their carers. You can call Lesley Burke on 01213 145092, or email Bsolteam@stroke.org.uk. You can also view this leaflet here, which is full of useful information about caring for a stroke survivor.
Thrive Birmingham – Carers Connect to Gardening – Kings Heath, Birmingham
A 12-week programme helping Carers connect with nature and boost their mental wellbeing, every Thursday 10.00am-12.00pm in Kings Heath Park. If you’re interested in joining, contact Thrive on 0121 293 4531 or email birmingham@thrive.org.uk.
Barefoot Birmingham – Free Yoga for Carers & Carer Life-Spa
On the last Thursday of the month, Barefoot Birmingham run a Carer Life-Spa – a free programme of in-person and virtual relaxation sessions in their Harborne studio. As well as yoga, the Life-Spa will provide Carers the opportunity to have a tea and a chat, and they sometimes have guest speakers, therapists and massages. Carers can also claim free classes – simply click here to apply or email info@barefootbirmingham.com for more information.
Community Enterprise Growth C.I.C – Creative English & Digital Skills Classes (Hockley)
Community Enterprise Growth provide support for carers, the elderly, Black Minority Ethnic groups (BME), unemployed and those socially isolated. Examples of the services they provide are English for Beginners classes, using drama and creativity to teach English language, as well as classes to teach participants essential digital skills. To find out more information you can email info@cegrowth.org.uk.
Gateway Family Services – Carers@Heart
You can arrange a Carers Lifestyle Check, either in your home or pop into Touchbase Pears Forward Carers Shop Space in Selly Oak for a drop in session. They will check your BMI, blood pressure and more, as well as offer you advice, information and referrals to other services. You can fill out a referral form on their website (link above) or you can call Gateway Family Services on 0121 456 7820 for more information.
Kissing it Better – Carers Online Coffee Mornings
You can join their informal coffee mornings on zoom, every Monday and Friday at 10.30am. You can join for a chat or simply listen to other unpaid carers’ experiences and advice. Both carers and those you care for are welcome, and you can join for the whole session or just part of it. To join the call, simply click the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84855033307?pwd=d25nZIV3YXICWXQ5c2d2Mi9aYzB6UT09. When prompted, type in the Meeting ID: 848 5503 3307 and the Passcode: 076930
For more information you can contact millie@kibmail.co.uk.
RESET Health Group – 12-week RESET Programme
RESET offer an alternative to talking therapy, a FREE for carers personalised 12-week programme focusing on the mind, body and environment to help you implement healthier coping strategies and a greater understanding of how your brain works. From yoga and breathwork, to therapy and outdoor activities, this is a great opportunity to improve your mental and physical wellbeing for the long term. If you’re interested you can contact carers@theresethealthgroup.com.
Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC – Keep Dancing for Carers Shenley Court Hall
Wellbeing activities- Birmingham Buddhist Centre, Moseley, Birmingham
Carer’s breaks – Birmingham Buddhist Centre, Moseley, Birmingham
Age UK Birmingham – Carers support Hub Harborne, Birmingham
Age UK Birmingham – Carers support Hub Selly Oak, Birmingham
Create a caring self-help plan – Bridgit Care
Crossroads – Free Carer Respite Breaks
Crossroads – Carers Assistance Line
Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC run weekly Keep Dancing classes, suitable for older adults across, Birmingham, Solihull, Walsall, Sandwell and online. Keep Dancing will teach you dances from around the world with no need for a dance partner. Find your nearest Keep Dancing class here.
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