Hospice marks Carers’ Week with online wellbeing classes

ST Clare Hospice is marking the annual Carers’ Week (8th – 14th June 2020) awareness campaign with the release of a series of online self-care and wellbeing classes, created by the charity’s Day Therapy team.

Led by national charity Carers UK, the theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Making Caring Visible,’ aiming to recognise and celebrate carers up and down the country.

The definition of a carer according to Carers’ UK is a person who, “Cares (unpaid) for family or friends who have a disability, illness or who need support in later life,” and “Needs support to manage a life of their own.” The annual awareness week gives a voice to carers; whilst recognising the contribution they make within society, and the impact caring can have on a person’s life. Carers’ Week aims to ensure that carers are connected to support and have access to helpful tools that can help promote wellbeing and aid mental health.

Included in St Clare Hospice’s video series is a selection of ‘virtual’ classes that address mindfulness and relaxation, light physiotherapy and light cardio exercise. The sessions have been adapted from the Day Therapy team’s regular programme of activities, and delivered by St Clare volunteers Rose and Alistair; Therapy Assistant, Michelle; and Physiotherapist, Vanessa.

All five video classes can be found online on the St Clare Hospice website (Our Care > Day Therapy > Online Classes & Exercises. Visit stclarehospice.org.uk/care/day-therapy-services/online-classes-exercises/

St Clare Hospice recognises the needs of carers and runs a Carers’ Group which aims to provide information, skills and support to people as they care for a loved one with a life-limiting illness or disability. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the usual Carers’ Group has had to be postponed, but the Day Therapy team continues to provide telephone support to carers and patients, and aims for their online resources to benefit service users whilst their usual face-to-face groups are on hold.

For more information about St Clare Hospice’s support for carers, visit https://stclarehospice.org.uk/care/support-families/carers-group/