Carers Week 9th - 13th June ‘08
This is our second year participating and the theme was ‘Carers cannot afford to be ill’.
Greenwich Council hosted a Carers’ Strategy Review Day for carers at Firepower in the Arsenal. We had a stall promoting our services which was visited by carers, people interested in volunteering and workers from other projects. There were ten of our carers present on the day. Some were able to stay for the whole event and joined in discussions on the strategy, giving valuable feed back on plans to develop future services. They listened to presentations as well as enjoying head and hand massage, blood pressure readings and participating in Tai chi. The buffet at lunchtime was very welcome and the carers said how nice it was to be able to enjoy food that they hadn’t prepared themselves.
The Oxleas NHS event took place at Charlton House. The stalls were on the top floor, which also had a luncheon buffet. There were presentations on the next floor. Eileen attended the event. It was useful to meet staff who are working with some of the cared for clients. Although none of the carers attended this event, Eileen picked up leaflets and information to share which will be useful.
The carers Tudor Barn outing was on a cool windy day with some light rain. It was agreed that anyone who could come was welcome, and two carers Emily and Eva joined Eileen for a walk around the beautiful gardens and afterwards had tea and apple tart and custard!
The Reminiscence Centre visit was the following week, and seven carers had a stroll down memory lane followed by tea and cakes at the centre. Eileen took some photos of the group handling the objects on show and a group photo at teatime. Sadie enjoyed using the curling tongs and butter pats; Bert and Kath talked about darning with the wooden mushroom; John found the blackout bicycle lamp and Mary, Maria and Savannah enjoyed buying the old fashioned sweets and teatime!
Eileen made extra home visits during June to see the carers
that find it difficult to get out and about to the meetings.
| 
