It’s Carers Week from 7-13 June and we are focusing on our carers, family and friends of our patients. It is about giving something back for all the hard work they do all year round.
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.
Oxford Health Charity who have funded the wellbeing week are proud to be promoting a host of free virtual events to encourage our carers and family members to take time out for themselves and look after their wellbeing which is just as important as their patients.
Julie Pink, Head of Charity and Community Involvement, said: “Oxford Health Charity were really pleased to be approached to support a programme of wellbeing activities for Carers Week.
“Carers give so much to the people they support, often forgetting about their own needs. By supporting this wellbeing week, we can hopefully give them a ‘time out’ to recharge and reflect, something even more important as we move through this pandemic.”
Di Hilson, trust carers lead, said: “I am excited to launch the Oxford Health Carers Wellbeing Week which is organised during the annual Carers Week in June. We have a full programme of activities with something to suit everyone, all activities have a focus on health and wellbeing.
As a carer it is so important that you take care of yourself first and foremost and allow yourself some ‘me’ time. By allowing yourself a little time out to take part in one or more of these activities is a small step towards helping improve your wellbeing.”
You may find an activity that you want to try for the first time or something that you know you will enjoy, take a look at the programme and get in touch.”
Activity Programme
| Monday
10.00 – 10.30am Morning mediation 11.00 – 11.45am Light exercise 12.00 – 1.00pm Lunchtime Natter 1.00 – 2.15pm Self-care coaching 3.00 – 4.00pm Stressbusters 6.00 – 6.30pm Evening meditation |
Tuesday
10.00 – 11.00am Yoga for all abilities 11.00 – 11.45am Light exercise 12.30 – 1.00pm Hand massage and mindfulness 2.00 – 3.00pm Benefits of nature 4.00 – 4.30pm Get creative with origami 4.30 – 5.10pm Family Yoga |
| Wednesday
10.00 – 11.00am Yoga for all abilities 11.00 – 12.15pm Caring and coping 12.00 – 1.00pm Lunchtime Natter 2.00 – 3.00pm Crafting for wellbeing 4.00 – 5.00pm Indian cookery class – watch and learn 6.00 – 6.30pm Evening meditation |
Thursday
10.00 – 10.30am Morning meditation 11.00 – 11.45am Light exercise 12.00 – 1.15pm 5 ways to wellbeing 2.00 – 3.30pm Art for wellbeing 4.30 – 5.10pm Family yoga 5.00 – 6.15pm Self-care coaching |
| Friday
10.00 – 11.15am Self-care coaching 11.00 – 11.30am Wellness through dance 12.00 – 1.00pm Lunchtime natter 2.00 – 3.00pm Growing through wellbeing 3.00 – 4.15pm Healthy sleeping 6.00 – 6.30pm Evening meditation |
Find the full programme here.
How can I sign up?
Take a look at the programme and decide what activities you would like to join and then email wellbeingweek@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk with the following details:
- Full name
- Contact telephone
- Activity choices including day – we will aim to give you up to 3 choices and will put you on the reserve list for any other choices you have
- Name and service of person you are caring for (people will not gain entry to activities if this hasn’t been confirmed)
We need your choices sent through by Sunday 30 May and then the following week you will receive a confirmation email and joining details.
If you have any questions please call Di Hilson, Carers Lead on 07775 816646 or email wellbeingweek@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
For further support visit our dedicated carers page.
Published: 19 May 2021