Range of events to mark Carers week 7 – 11 June

There’s plenty going on across Bridgend county borough during Carers Week (7 – 11 June) with events ranging from a garden party and craft sessions to workshops and online activities.

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlighting the challenges unpaid carers face and recognising the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support. This year’s theme is ‘Making Caring Visible and Valued’.

Here’s the schedule for events in Carer’s Week:

Monday 7 June

• The Carers flag will be flown outside the council’s civic offices
• Launch of Bridgend Carers Centre website
• Book Club and Cuppa in the Bridgend Carers Centre Garden 1pm - 2pm
• Carers Trust South East Wales Big Steps for Carers campaign begins – with staff, volunteers, trustees and friends of the trust walking 683,000 steps to represent the number of carers currently estimated to be in Wales – an increase of over 200,000 people as a result of the coronavirus pande Find out more about how you can get involved

The submission deadline for the Carers Trust South East Wales Carers Art Competition – a special competition for anyone with an interest in art or photography. Find out more about how you can enter

Tuesday 8 June

• A Carers Walk n Talk at Newbridge Fields (Meet at the Bridgend Carers Centre) 10.30am -12.30pm
• Parent Carers Craft Session in the Bridgend Carers Centre Garden 10am - 12 noon

Wednesday 9 June

• A Garden Party with Refreshments at the Bridgend Carers Centre from 10am-3pm, including crafts, musical entertainment, raffles and a ‘name the garden competition’. Please note there is no parking at the centre. Awen Cultural Trust will be providing musical entertainment with Live Music Now.
• A Zoom Catch up and Cuppa run by the Bridgend Carers Centre from 2pm - 3pm
• Autistic Girls Groups via Zoom run by the Bridgend Carers Centre - 10am and 7pm
• Carers Trust South East Wales are hosting a drop-in session for carers at Maesteg Sports Centre from 10.30am to 12.30pm

Thursday 10 June

• Doorstep Dancers are providing a special visit to carers homes across Bridgend county borough in an event organised by Bridgend Carers Centre and supported by Awen Cultural Trust
• Create your own summer flower pot workshop from 11am to 12pm at the Bridgend Carers Centre
• Yoga in the garden of the Bridgend Carers Centre from 1pm to 2pm.
• Carers Trust South East Wales are hosting a drop-in session for carers at the Bridgend Life Centre from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Friday 11 June

• Volunteer with Richie in the Garden of the Bridgend Carers Centre and enjoy some painting, potting and planting – from 10am to 2pm.
• A Stronger Together Bridgend special-streamed show organised by Awen Cultural Trust and supported by Bridgend County Borough Council on the Stronger Together Bridgend Facebook page from 4pm                                

Carers Week helps to shine a spotlight on the vital role carers play in our communities and sees individuals and organisations coming together to provide support for carers and run activities.

Across the UK there are millions of people who are carers, looking after a member of the family or a friend who has a disability, mental illness or physical illness, or who needs extra help as they grow older.

Within Bridgend county borough there are around 21,000 people who are carers. The role of being a carer affects all aspects of life and with the coronavirus pandemic, carers have been faced with even more difficult circumstances. While we know that many feel that caring is one of the most important things they can do, its challenges should not be underestimated. It is vital we recognise the contribution carers make and help ensure they get the support they need.

Bridgend County Borough Council’s cabinet member for Social Services and Early Help Nicole Burnett

For more details on the events above visit the Carers Trust South East Wales website or the Bridgend Carers Centre website.