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 14th June from 2-4pm.
The annual event, which is free and open to everyone who supports a relative or friend, offers carers an opportunity to meet with other people in a similar situation and spend the afternoon enjoying tea and cake on the lawn, creative pebble painting, live jazz, craft, gift, bric-a-brac and plant stalls or a relaxing hand massage or mini manicure.
The Hospice’s boutique gift shop ‘number twenty,’ re-loved furniture store Returned to Glory and Highfield charity shop will also have items for sale on the day, giving carers, who might otherwise have difficulty finding 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 and Carers Bucks.
The theme of the event, which takes place during Carers’ Week (10th – 16th June), is around ‘Getting Carers Connected’ with each other and with opportunities for support.
The Berkhamsted-based Hospice, which is celebrating its 40th birthday this year, supports around 200 carers every year from across the area, offering support groups, courses and one-to-one assessments, as well as respite support for carers through a carer support volunteer visiting scheme.
The charity recognises the importance of supporting carers, assessing individual needs to understand what support may be helpful 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, but 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.”
There will also be the opportunity during the afternoon for carers to share their experiences, and make suggestions about how we might best develop our services.
The afternoon will be supported by staff from the Alford Arms in Frithsden, therapists from Champneys Health Spa, a jazz band - Gentle 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:
- First Aid for Carers course on 7th August 2019 10.30am-12.30 at Northchurch Social Centre, Berkhamsted.
- Care Towards the End of Life from 18th September 2019 for six consecutive weeks.
- Practical Caring Course - date to be confirmed.
To reserve a place at the Carers’ Afternoon or to enquire about or book any of the courses, please call the Spring Centre on 01442 869550 or email: springcentre@stfrancis.org.uk