Carer Wellbeing

Looking after our mind is as important as taking care of our body, yet most of us manage our physical health far better than our mental health. The idea of well-being is a mix of both feeling good and functioning well. Feelings of happiness and contentment, for example, are characteristic of someone who has a positive experience of their life.

Equally important for well-being, however, is our functioning in the world. Experiencing positive relationships, having some control over your life and having a sense of purpose are all important attributes of well being.

To build on this idea there are also five tried and trusted actions that we can all introduce into our day to day lives to improve our well being:

Well being Sessions

We also run regular well being sessions for carers including:

Getting a good nights sleep
Food for mood
5 ways to well being
Well being hints and tips
Emotional Resilience

To have a look at which sessions we are currently running please have a look at our events page HERE

Moving On from Covid programme

As the Covid crisis begins to ease many of us are left thinking "what next? How do I move on?"

Many of us have mixed feelings about life beyond Covid. We may be desperate to get back to normal, or we may be worried about leaving the safety of our home - and everything in between.

So how do we move on and what can we do to feel ready for what life beyond Covid will bring?

Our ‘Moving On’ programme is a series of interactive upbeat online webinars and light physical exercise sessions for carers. Find out more on our events page.

Well being hints and tips introduction

Our experienced well being practitioner Jane Taylor runs a number of sessions, on and off line for carers. Here she shares some of those hints and tips with you but if you want to access more bespoke well being or discuss the suitability of any other sessions please get in touch with her at [email protected]

Talking about Gratitude:

Jane talks about gratitude and how it can improve your well being. For more information on sessions please visit our events page HERE

Other organisations that can help with your well-being

Worcestershire Well being Hub Your local link to well-being support. You can contact the Hub by calling 01905 766 124 or visit online at : www.hacw.nhs.uk/wellbeinghub . Email : [email protected]

The Worcestershire Healthy Minds App Developed by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, to provide tips and techniques to help people self-manage mental health problems such as stress and anxiety. Available on both Android and Apple. To download the app search ‘Worcestershire Healthy Minds’ in the App or Play store.

Mind Provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Visit them at www.mind.org.uk

Rethink Leading charity providing advice and information on mental illness.Find them at www.rethink.org

One You website is full of resources eg , quizzes, short videos and tips to help you mange your health and well-being https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/

Live Well offers a wide range of well-being resources covering diet, activity and mental health https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/

NHS resources on Anxiety and Depression https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/

Minded For Families Excellent resources to support the mental health of older people https://mindedforfamilies.org.uk/older-people/

Action for Happiness.

Your daily companion for a happier life. You’ll receive simple, daily action ideas designed to help you boost your own wellbeing.https://www.actionforhappiness.org/smartphone-appion for Happiness Your daily companion for a happier life. You’ll receive simple, daily action ideas designed to help you boost your own wellbeing. https://www.actionforhappiness.org/smartphone-app

Anxiety App : SAM http://sam-app.org.uk/

#Stay Alive A mobile app for those at risk of suicide and people worried about someone

http://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/stay_alive_suicide_prevention_mobile_phone_application.html

Stop Breathe Think Develop and apply kindness and compassion in your daily life through a process called STOP, BREATHE & THINK. https://www.stopbreathethink.com/

Calm to support relaxation and sleep https://www.calm.com/breathe

Carers UK UK's only national membership charity for carers. Carers UK is a support network and a movement for change. Visit them at www.carersuk.org

***Please note these sessions are light touch and should not be used to replace emergency mental health services. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, or need support from emergency mental health services please make an urgent appointment with your GP or attend Accident and Emergency. Alternatively, you can call Samaritans on their 24 hour helpline on 116 123 or contact them HERE***

Latest

Learning Disabilities
Online Carer Forum
Safeguarding Carer Reference Group Representative
Carer Online Coffee Break

Are you a carer? Are you keen to meet other carers and share ideas? You are invited to join us for our online coffee break. Come along - we'd love to meet you!

Emergency planning

What happens if the person you care for is taken ill? Have you considered a contingency plan? You can find information here about WAC schemes such as the Carers Emergency Card and NHS and Social Care Emergency Services.
Coronavirus Update

Updated information about Coronavirus and any advice for carers
Work for us

We are hiring !
Information for Carers

Our latest Caring News is a special Covid update to keep you informed of changes in Covid guidance and to tell you all about our upcoming online events.
Peer to Peer Support and Isolation Event

On 24th August 2017, as part of our 20th anniversary, we worked with Worcestershire Health and Care Trust to hold a Peer to Peer Support event at Newhaven in Bromsgrove. It was a resounding success and we hope all who attended benefitted from the resources and advice.
Volunteer opportunities

COME AND JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM Can you offer the 63,000 unpaid adult carers in Worcestershire your time, skills, compassion and expertise, for a few hours a week?
Fundraise for us

As a charity we rely on the financial support of the community to be able to provide services that Worcestershire unpaid carers need. There are a number of ways in which you can support us, through fundraising events, legacies and donations
Are you a carer?

There are an estimated 63,000 unpaid adult carers in the county but only 11,000 are known to the Worcestershire Association of Carers. Many of the missing 52,000 people don’t recognise themselves as carers and this seems to be the major problem. Even if a person has a relationship with the person they help, they are still entitled to support.
Volunteer for us

Our volunteers are an integral part of the WAC team. As the first organisation in the county to achieve the gold standard "Investing in Volunteers" award we offer tailor made volunteer programmes to suit your needs.
Worcestershire Integrated Carers Hub

We have been commissioned by the Worcestershire County Council and the three Clinical Commissioning groups to provide a "one stop" carers hub for the unpaid carers of Worcestershire.

Carer support groups
Work for us

We are hiring !
Events Calendar

Click here to see upcoming events for Worcestershire Association of Carers. For more information call the Helpline on 0300 012 4272.
Worcestershire Integrated Carers Hub
Helpline

Call the carers Hub helpline on 0300 012 4272 if you need support with your caring role. We will be able to direct you to the most appropriate support and if appropriate put you in touch with our carer pathway advisors.
Working For Carers

Working for Carers is a membership and accreditation scheme for employers.
What we aim to achieve
Am I a carer?

Do you help to look after someone a few hours a week (or more) that relies on you for emotional, medical, personal or physical care or help with domestic tasks? You could be a carer and would possibly benefit from the support of Worcestershire Integrated Carers Hub. CALL OUR HELPLINE ON 0300 012 4272.
About Us
Emergency planning

What happens if the person you care for is taken ill? Have you considered a contingency plan? You can find information here about WAC schemes such as the Carers Emergency Card and NHS and Social Care Emergency Services.