As we mark Carers Week 2025, Forward Carers is celebrating the incredible unpaid Carers who support loved ones every day – and the communities stepping up to support them in return. This year’s Carers Week theme, “Putting Carers on the Map,” is a powerful reminder of how vital it is to recognise and support those […]
March Newsletter
Welcome to our March newsletter! As the weather begins to improve, we hope you are finding moments to enjoy the change of season and are feeling supported in your caring role. In this addition we’re excited to introduce Carer Money Matters, a new support service developed with Carers Trust, available in Dorset & Wiltshire. Offering guidance and resources to help Carers manage finances, access benefits, and navigate financial challenges. We’re also recognising Young Carers Action Day, held on Wednesday, 12th March, with the theme “Give Me A Break,” highlighting the need for young Carers to have time to rest and recharge.
New Service- Carer Money Matters
Carer Support Dorset & Wiltshire are excited to announce a new service, Carer Money Matters. Designed in collaboration with the Carers Trust, Carer Money Matters will offer Carers guidance and resources to help manage finances, access benefits, and navigate financial challenges in their caregiving roles.
Worried about making ends meet for you or the people you’re caring for?
We want to help you feel more confident about money, for you and the people you’re caring for. Carer Money Matters can help you understand, and get, the financial support you’re entitled to.
Offering free advice on energy saving and energy debt, and help to get you on the Priority Services Register with your supplier. This will help you get extra support with things like meter readings, advance warnings of supply interruptions and how to save on cooking and heating. You’ll also get priority reconnection if your supply is interrupted. Also, advice on practical ways to reduce your energy bills that work for your individual circumstances.
The Financial Wellbeing Officers can talk to you about other money matters too, whether it’s for you or the people you care for. Balancing caring responsibilities and finances isn’t easy, and they can help you to access the support you need to manage money and reduce debt.
We also know that a majority of carers are either forced to leave work altogether or to reduce their paid hours because of the pressures of their caring roles. So if you’re thinking about how to balance work and caring, they can also support with things like interview practice, job searching and getting your CV into shape.
To get started with using this service contact Carer Support Dorset, please email admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk, or call 0800 368 8349.
Young Carers Action Day
Young Carers Action Day (YCAD) is an annual event organised by Carers Trust to raise awareness of young Carers and the challenges they face. This year’s YCAD was on Wednesday, 12th March 2025, with the theme “Give Me A Break,” highlighting the essential need for young Carers to have time to rest and recharge.
Purpose of Young Carers Action Day
YCAD serves to spotlight the significant contributions of young Carers and advocate for better support systems to ensure they can thrive in both their caring roles and personal lives. The day emphasises the importance of recognising young Carers’ needs and implementing measures to support their health, education, and overall well-being.
Are you a Young Carer looking for support? Or do you know a Young Carer you would like to access support for?
Carer Support Dorset: Offers support and guidance tailored to the needs of young Carers in Dorset.
- Phone: 0800 368 8349
- Website: carersupportdorset.co.uk
MYTIME Young Carers: Focuses on empowering young Carers by providing opportunities for respite, support, and personal development.
- Website: mytimeyoungcarers.org
The Care Curious Community Hub
Care Curious Community Hub at Heather’s Tearoom, 233-235 Ashley Road, Poole. BH14 9DS.
Open Wednesday’s from 10 am – 2pm. It is a free service and open to all.
The Care Curious Community Hub has been set up to help and support people who have questions relating to care, this could mean support with personal care, live in care or simply help to organise a hot meal or arrange a stairlift.
“We are supported by various professionals from different fields, voluntary organisations, charities, businesses and NHS services. We are here to help people who are not sure where to turn or simply unclear what they are looking for. Providing a safe space for people to bring the person they are caring for and enjoy a warm drink or just meet with a friend outside the home environment.
We aim to help people by providing information to enable informed choices and wishes. By planning and being aware of the options available, people provide themselves with the opportunity to remain in control of their own lives. The additional benefit of course is that the people who will support you should a crisis occur know what you want, removing a great deal of stress and guilt and pressure for your loved ones.”
-
Posted 6 June 2025 Creating Carer Friendly Communities – This Carers Week and Beyond
-
Posted 13 May 2025 Dementia Action Week 2025: Raising Awareness and Taking Action
Dementia Action Week, taking place from Monday 20 May to Sunday 26 May 2025, is a national initiative led by the Alzheimer’s Society and supported by organisations, communities, and individuals across the UK.It is a vital opportunity to raise awareness, improve understanding, and inspire action to support those living with Dementia and the Carers who support them. 🧠 What is Dementia? Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive neurological conditions that affect memory, thinking, behaviour, and the ability to perform everyday activities.There are many different types of Dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common. Dementia is not a natural part of ageing — it is caused by diseases of the brain.While it is more common in people over 65, younger people can also be affected. Living with Dementia can be challenging, not just for the individual, but also for the family members and friends who take on caring responsibilities. Raising awareness and promoting understanding helps create a more inclusive and supportive society for everyone affected. 💬 Why Dementia Action Week Matters Dementia Action Week is about more than just raising awareness — it is about taking action.By improving knowledge and understanding, we can tackle stigma, encourage early diagnosis, and ensure that those living with Dementia and their Carers have access to the support they need. Key aims of Dementia Action Week include: 🌍 How You Can Support Dementia Action Week Everyone has a part to play in making a difference. Here are a few ways you can get involved: Together, we can create a society that is more inclusive, supportive, and empowering for those living with Dementia and their Carers. Whilst a diagnosis can be life-changing, it does not define a person.By working together, raising awareness, and taking positive action, we can build communities where everyone affected by Dementia feels valued, understood, and supported. This week — and every week — let’s take action for a better future for people living with Dementia and those who care for them.
-
Posted 12 May 2025 May Newsletter: Celebrating Carers Week 2025
Celebrating Carers Week 2025: Championing Equality for Unpaid Carers Carers Week 2025, taking place from 9th–15th June, shines a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of the UK’s 5.8 million unpaid Carers. This year’s theme, Caring About Equality, underscores the disparities and challenges Carers face, including financial hardship, social isolation, and limited access to support services. Understanding […]