Welcome to this year's MCN Carers Week newsletter! Carers week is a time where we can bring people together to recognise and celebrate the work carers do in our communities and for the people they love. With the current lockdown restrictions due to COVID-19, activities in Manchester are looking different from how they have in the past, however we do a have a host of online events for carers to choose from, which are detailed below.
This year's theme is making carers visible and to fulfil this many of our organisations are running online campaigns, writing to, and calling carers across the city to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing and provide vital advice and support during this tough time.
Some of the activities below are being delivered via Zoom, an online video call service. Its easy to set up if you have a phone, tablet or computer, but Gaddum have produced an instructional video on how to use and set it up.
You can find it here (skip to 8 minutes 40 seconds for Zoom).
We are encouraging carers to share their stories during lockdown using #makingcarersvisible and tagging @carers_hub & @gaddumcentre
For more information about Carers Week and this year's theme you can visit the Carers Week website by clicking the button below.
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The team at the Manchester Carers Network have organised a series of workshops for carers during this year's Carers Week. You can find out more info below.
Manchester Carers Network have also developed an online learning platform for carers to access advice and support whilst at home. The platform is full of useful resources, including an e-learning course based on our Being a Carer workshop. To visit the platform and create an account, click here.
We're also pleased to announce that carers in Manchester will be able to access a free cooking portal run by Bounceback food, see below for more info.
We're also producing a carers radio show on ALLFM - check our Facebook & Twitter pages for updates!
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Moving and Handling
Would you like to learn the basics on how to safely move and handle the person you look after, in a way that safeguards your own health? Then this workshop is for you!
Monday 8 June
1pm - 2.30pm
Online Event
Book Here
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Nutrition
This session will take attendees through the tips and tricks of good nutrition and include guidance specific to carers and those who are shielding due to COVID-19.
Tuesday 9 June
10am - 12pm
Online Event
Book here
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Modern Meditation
This virtual Modern Meditation session is for people who would like to learn more about meditation and learn how to manage their stress and anxiety levels.
Wednesday 10 June
1pm - 2.30pm
Online Event
Book Here
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Being a Carer
This 2 hour workshop highlights the range of support available for carers during lockdown, as well as exploring self-care and well-being.
Tuesday 9 June
10am - 12pm
Online Event
Book here
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Over the last couple of years many of MCN's practical cookery workshops have been delivered by social enterprise Bounceback Food CIC. They recently launched an online Cooking & Nutrition Portal - which gives people support with nutrition, cooking tips and budgeting. There's also an interactive meal planner and lots of exciting recipes to help you plan ahead and live well from the safety of your own home.
Please email learning@manchestercarersnetwork.org.uk to request free access and we will add you to the platform.
Bounceback are also supporting carers remotely with cooking & nutrition advice - send any questions you have through to info@bouncebackfood.co.uk or you can call/text 07494 263 264, if you'd prefer to speak to a member of their team directly.
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Together Dementia Support are hosting 3 online events over Carers Week, you can find information on these below. For all the updates on what the team at together Dementia support are up to, you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter. For more info about their services and how to get in touch, you can visit their website here.
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Afternoon Tea Harp Concert
Wednesday 10 June - 2pm
Live on the Together Dementia Support Facebook page
For more info visit their Facebook & Twitter
Bring your cuppa and listen to a live concert of soothing harp music, played by Maddie Herbert (a staff member). The repertoire of well-known tunes will be interspersed by chat from Maddie about her beautiful harp and the tunes that she plays.
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Big Sing!
Thursday 11 June - 3pm
Live on the Together Dementia Support Facebook page
For more info visit Facebook and Twitter
Carers and the person who is cared for can enjoy an interactive singing session with a staff member, Lucy, who will encourage singing and movement from the comfort of your chair. This session is particularly suitable for older people.
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Zoom Social
Friday 12 June - 2pm
Click on the following link - https://zoom.us/j/2267186123
For more info visit Facebook and Twitter
Carers of people with dementia can join the weekly zoom get together for one of the following workshops a) fun and games with your relative b) how to encourage your relative to stay active, c) how can I look after my own wellbeing.
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Manchester Carers Centre are running their first ever virtual carers coffee morning as well as a quiz for their young adult carers group. They will also be running a social media campaign with artwork, poems and carers stories to help Make Carers Visible!
You can find out more about Manchester Carers Centre on their website which you can access here.
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Young Adult Carers Quiz
Wednesday 10 June - 4pm - 5.30pm
Virtual (Zoom)
Carers aged between 18 & 25
For enquires you can call them on - 0161 27 27 27 0
Manchester Carers Centre provide a range of services for 16-25 year old Young Adult Carers. The project offers information and advice services alongside one to one mentoring with dedicated staff members for this age group.
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Virtual Carers Coffee Morning
Thursday 11 June - 10.30 am - 12.00 pm
Virtual (Zoom)
Carers aged 16+
For enquires you can call them on - 0161 27 27 27 0
Manchester Carers Centre are running their first ever virtual coffee morning. The event will be open to 20 attendees and will feature a 15 minute relaxation session.
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Talbot House have been supporting parent carers throughout the lock-down by taking referrals, making regular calls offering advice and support as well as sending out cards. They have supported carers recoup £1000s in benefit appeals in this testing time.
They have also been documenting the struggles carers have faced during the lockdown. Bernie Wood (the manager at Talbot House) has featured in a film produced by ITV about life as a parent carer during lockdown - you can watch it here.
Bernie has also been featured in the award winning Strong Manchester Women's podcast with an episode dedicated to her experience as a parent carer - you can listen to it here.
To find out more about Talbot House you can visit their website here.
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Manchester city council will be promoting their work with young carers and with its partners on their social media @MCRYoungCarers. They also have a page on the council website dedicated to young carers and the support available in the city you can find it here.
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Please follow the below links to explore our network and find out more. If you would like a Network booklet with all our information in one place, please let us know via hello@manchestercarersnetwork.org.uk
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