November Newsletter 2026
Welcome to our latest Carer Friendly newsletter
We hope you’re keeping well. In this edition, we’ve brought together useful information, local opportunities and practical tips to support you in your caring role.
From places to visit and ways to save with your Carers ID Card, to planning for emergencies and finding support in your local community, we hope there’s something useful for you.
As always, simply pick and choose the information that’s most relevant to you.
National Carers Savings:
For all our Carers across the UK, we’re adding new offers for you each month. Here are some of the latest discounts available nationwide. Please check the terms and conditions.
Papa Johns – exclusive 50% off food and drink, no minimum spend. All day every day instore or online.
AA – Up to 50% off Breakdown Cover (subject to T & Cs)
Sky Stream – As low as £32 – Sky Stream, Ultimate TV, Netflix with Full Fibre Broadband. 24 months contract.
Jojo Maman Bebe – 10% off full price for Carers – Maternity wear, baby clothing and essential nursery products.
Dorset: Offers & Resources
Off Camber Cycles – Free pick and delivery of your bike (within 15 miles of Blandford) for servicing for Bronze Level Services and upwards. 10% off all non-sale items instore.
Splat Pottery – 15% discount on all pottery items for unpaid Carers on Tuesdays (during term times only and subject to an additional £3.50 glazing & firing fee per item).
JB Pilates – Free cup of tea/coffee when you book a block of 6 for £60 (to be had after your first session of these 6). Sessions held 10:30-11:30am Wednesday’s at Honky Tonk Collective.
Salt & Sage -10% off. Calm, personalised massage therapy from ‘The Hideout’ woodland space in Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset. Mobile treatments available.
Cozy Home & Pet Services – 10% off all dog walks for Carers, plus free meet & greet before your booking. Cozy Home & Pet Care also offers pet sitting & drop-in pet visits.
Featured Business
Enjoy Mudeford Ferry for Less
Andrew and Max Golding, father and son team, look forward to welcoming you to the Mudeford Ferry. Take a trip on the ferry, a popular seasonal passenger service connecting Christchurch Quay with Mudeford Sandbank, enjoyed by local residents, walkers, cyclists and visitors.
Carers with a Carers ID Card can enjoy a concession fare of just £1.50, saving £2 on the standard £3.50 adult fare. A lovely way to get out, enjoy the local scenery and make the most of your Carers ID Card.
News Stories
New Action Plan for Unpaid Carers
The Government has published a new Unpaid Carers Action Plan for England, focused on three areas: Recognise, Refer and Reach. The plan aims to improve how Carers are identified, connected with the right support and supported to have a life alongside caring.
New Champion for Unpaid Carers
A new dedicated champion for unpaid Carers is to be appointed to help ensure Carers’ voices and experiences are heard within Government. Carers UK has welcomed the announcement as an important step towards greater recognition for unpaid Carers.
How to Add Your Emergency Contact Details to your Phone
A 5-Minute phone Setup that could help in an emergency.
Did you know you can add emergency contacts and important medical information to your phone’s lock screen, allowing emergency services to access it without unlocking your phone?
For Carers, this simple step could be particularly useful if something happens to you while you’re out. Taking just a few minutes to set it up can help ensure the right people are contacted quickly.
Find out how to add emergency information to your phone.
Help and Kindness
Looking for Local Support in Dorset?
Help And Kindness makes it easier to find local services, activities and organisations across Dorset. Search their community directory for everything from Carer and wellbeing support to social activities, practical help, food support and local community groups.
You can search by what you need and where you live, helping you discover support available in your local community.
Stroke Carers Group
The Latest GP Carer Friendly Health Award
A Forward Carers Carer Friendly Award is an official recognition given to GP surgeries, businesses, employers and organisations that actively support and value unpaid carers.
This month we are congratulating Gillingham Medical Practice on achieving their second GP Carer Friendly Health Award, recognising their continued commitment to identifying and supporting unpaid Carers.
Amongst other Carer facing commitments, they have made a practice-wide Carer Identification text message generating 240 responses and helped increase the Carer Register to around 400 Carers.
Gillingham has developed a Young Carers Welcome Pack, held a successful Carers Week event attended by 36 Carers, introduced a new page to their website to support Carers and introduced a One Stop Shop for Carers where people can access advice, support and information in one place.
Having also been nominated in 2023, Gillingham Medical Practice continues to show how practical, whole-practice changes can help Carers feel recognised, valued and better supported.