Carers Trust Hillingdon is passionate about finding you the right support to help you manage your health and wellbeing, focusing on your own needs and inspirations.
We run a wellbeing programme to help carers have some social time, enjoy a hobby, obtain some knowledge or learn a new skill to support your caring role. But most of all it is to give you a break from caring and meet other carers.
We listen to your interests and what you would like to learn or do. We then develop a programme of activities in venues around the Borough.
If you are interested in any of the activities on this page please contact us by emailing wellbeing@carerstrusthillingdon.org or call us on 01895 811206 and ask for the wellbeing team.
Stay Social
Keeping in touch and meeting people
Carers can sometimes feel lonely or socially isolated as a result of their caring role, which in turn impacts on their health. It is important that carers try to keep up with their social connections as these are good for maintaining their wellbeing. This may include keeping in touch with family and friends, a quick phone call, joining online networks or engaging in a hobby.
Carers Trust Hillingdon are passionate about finding you the right support to help you manage your health and wellbeing, focusing on your own needs and inspirations.
We host Carer Cafes where you can drop in for refreshments and conversation with carers whilst hearing more about our activities or those around the Borough.
Carer Cafes
Come along and meet other carers for friendly conversation. You will receive a warm welcome in a relaxed environment.
You are welcome to bring the person you care for.
Uxbridge Cafe
Watts Hall, Christ Church,
Redford Way, Uxbridge
1st Monday of every month
10:00am-12 noon
Northwood Cafe
Emmanuel Church,
High Street, Northwood
2nd Tuesday of every month
2:00-3:30pm
Ruislip Cafe
Ruislip Manor Methodist Church,
Torrington Road, Ruislip Manor
3rd Monday of every month
2:00-3:30pm
Hayes Cafe
Hayes & Harlington Community Centre,
Albert Road, Hayes
Last Tuesday of every month
11:00am-12.30pm
“It’s good to meet with others, have a chat about how things are going. It gives me a lift and I enjoy the company and to see many happy, smiling faces.”
Creativity
Express yourself
Come along to improve your knowledge and find your inner creativity. We offer different workshops throughout the year and are always looking for new ideas.
Carers can enjoy arts workshops - they’re a chance to try or revisit a hobby. We take our ideas from what carers have suggested and these might be:
Floristry
Flower arranging, gardening
Art and design
Clay modelling, card making
Needlecraft
Sewing, crochet
Carers Painting Group
Alternate Thursdays over Zoom 10.30am - 12.00pm
An independent carer group, it will be a chance to get creative and enjoy drawing, painting or whatever you feel like at the time whilst connecting with others.
“I already love gardening, but learnt a lot of useful information from the teacher which I shall put into practice. Thoroughly enjoyed the session and was a good break from quite a stressful situation with our daughter’s current mental and physical issues.“
“Lovely to have time to do something for myself which has nothing to do with caring!”
Learning
Improve your skills and learn new ones
Nobody gives you a manual when you start caring and you can’t predict how you might feel as time goes on. Join us for meetings where we answer some of your questions and help build your knowledge and skills with time, coffee and chat with other carers.
Caring and Coping provides carers with, for example:
Knowledge - legal planning, accessing GP and community health services, managing medications
Skills - first aid, falls prevention, Digital Desk
‘“I found the workshop extremely useful and will certainly take on board some of the things mentioned. What I found very useful was the ideas being bounced off from others and I’m sure the group also benefitted from that.”
Dementia Friends
Dementia Friends sessions
Book onto one of our Dementia Friends sessions to learn more about what dementia is and how to live well with it. All sessions take place at 10:30am to 12:30pm, either in the Guest Room at Carers Trust Hillingdon in Uxbridge or online.
Wednesday 11th September
Wednesday 13th November
Friday 18th October
To book, email sdurner@hillingdon.gov.uk or call 01895 277137.
If you'd like to support people living with dementia to live well for longer, why not become a dementia friend?
Facilitated by Sarah Durner
Sport and Physical Activity Senior Officer
London Borough of Hillingdon
“Having time away from the day-to-day and spending time with like-minded people with advice and tips on what I’m experiencing with caring was excellent.”
Look after yourself
Carers tell us that the impact of caring is not just physical. Let us help you feel stronger and better equipped to manage your caring situation.
If you’re looking after someone, it is important to look after yourself too. You matter just as much as the person you care for and looking after your own health will mean you will be better able to help them in the longer-term.
Time for ME is a holistic approach to thinking about yourself, your needs, your anxieties and worries or wellbeing workshops to explore mindfulness and breathing techniques.
“I have found this service a god send. As a Carer life can be very stressful and you lose your identity. It has been very helpful to have a break and be able to talk to others and share your experiences, stresses and problems. The Volunteers are friendly professional and compassionate.”
“I felt so happy and relaxed after the workshop. It was such a happy atmosphere and knowing that we all have our day-to-day stresses it was great to hear the chatter and laughter that went on.”
In the Pink!
Get some exercise and be social
We organise a variety of exercise activities, whether a regular class or a one-off, there is something for everyone.
Exercise can be fun and social
Exercise can be a great way to feel better, boost your health and have fun!
Chair exercise with Alison involves gentle stretching exercises
Yoga with Jodi keeps you mobile and your body flexible
Join us in Watts Hall, Christ Church, Uxbridge on alternate Thursdays 1:30-3:00pm
Light refreshments are served afterwards
“It’s nice to do some gentle exercise in a friendly and sociable setting. Anyone can do it. The tutor is very patient and careful to tailor the class to group members. We have a tea and biscuits session afterwards, it’s easy to chat to new people in a very relaxed atmosphere.”
“I had a total knee replacement in both my knees. Doing these exercises has helped me tremendously in healing.”
For many carers there comes a time when their caring role changes with the person they care for going into residential care or loss and bereavement.
We would still consider them a carer even if the person they care for has moved into residential care - it is just the caring role has changed.
When caring ends
We understand how difficult it can be to lose the person you care for, and we want to offer help.
There is a cafe called The Robins, which takes place on the second Wednesday of the month, in Uxbridge, specifically for carers who have lost the person they care for. We also organise visits to places of interest across the borough.
If you are no longer caring, please let us know so we can discuss further support for you.
wellbeing@carerstrusthillingdon.org
