Annual event Carers invited to enjoy an afternoon of relaxation
Carers across Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire are invited to attend a special Carers’ Afternoon in the beautiful grounds of The Hospice of St Francis on Friday 16th June from 2-4pm.
The focus of the event, which takes place during Carers’ Week (12th – 18th June), will be on building carer friendly communities, which support carers to look after the person they are caring for well, while recognising that they are individuals with needs of their own.
The annual event, which is free and open to everyone who supports a relative or friend with a life-limiting illness, offers carers an opportunity to meet with other people in a similar situation and spend the afternoon enjoying tea and cake on the lawn, listening to live jazz, browsing the craft, gift, and plant stalls and indulging in a complementary therapy session or a mini manicure.
The Hospice’s boutique gift shop number twenty and re-loved furniture store Returned to Glory will also have items for sale on the day giving carers, who might otherwise find it difficult to find time to shop, an opportunity to browse the goods.
There will also be carers’ information stalls from organisations including Age UK Dacorum, Carers in Herts, Carers in Bucks, Motor Neurone Disease Association, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Alzheimer’s Society.
The Hospice supports more than 100 carers each year from across the area, offering workshops, courses and social groups, as well as respite support for carers through a carer support volunteer visiting scheme.
The charity recognises the importance of supporting carers as well as patients and assesses their individual needs to understand what support may help them in their carer’s role.
Claire Hewitt, the Hospice’s Carer Support Lead, said: “Carers work so hard and often go unrecognised. The Carers’ Afternoon is about giving those who care for someone else the permission to take some time for themselves.
“Carers can feel guilty for taking time out and can become overwhelmed by the changes in their circumstances. This is our opportunity, as part of National Carers’ Week, to give them a well-deserved break from their caring role and provide some rejuvenating me-time.
“Carers living in the local community, whether they are under the care of the Hospice or not, are welcome and can bring the person they care for, a neighbour or a friend.”
The afternoon will be supported by staff from the Alford Arms in Frithsden, therapists from Champneys Health Spa, jazz band, Just Jazz as well as staff and volunteers from the Hospice.
The Hospice is running various courses for carers at its Spring Centre over the coming months including:
- Practical Caring Course Wednesday 5th July 10am – 12pm for three weeks
- Caring with Confidence Monday 11th September from 10-1pm for six weeks
- Care Towards the End of Life Wednesday 18th October 11am – 1pm for six weeks
To reserve a place at the Carers’ Afternoon or to book any of the courses, please call the Spring Centre on 01442 869550 or email: springcentre@stfrancis.org.uk