South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust (SWLSTG) is supporting Carers Week, which runs from the 8th to the 14th June 2015. 

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of the work done by millions of carers, recognising the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK, and highlighting the challenges they face every day.

Carers Week is an important reminder of just how important caring is, with an estimated 6.5 million people in the UK providing unpaid care for a family member or friend.

SWLSTG recently held a Carers Families and Friends event with the support of the Carers, Families and Friends Reference Group (CFFRG) and local carers organisations. Over 80 carers, families and friends and young carers from across south west London came together to celebrate the work of the CFFRG, with snacks and pizza, information stalls and a ‘living library’ of information. 

There were workshops for adults, including the best way to get information to carers and families, and which courses carers and family members would like to learn through their Recovery College.

There were also presentations on local services and what is on offer, a workshop finding out what young carers want from services, and one on how to work together to bring in new ideas.

A graphic facilitator created two large pieces of art work which the Trust will use to illustrate the work with carers, families and friends in the future.

Throughout Carers week, local Carers Groups will be hosting events:

• Sutton Carers Centre will be hosting events including an Anti Stress Workshop Taster with the SWLSTG Sutton and Merton IAPT service on 9 June and a Young Carers’ celebration with food and games on 11 June.
• Carers Support Merton will be having a week-long series of events including a Wimbledon Tennis tour with afternoon tea on the 9 June, and a Tea Party ‘Time 4 You’ day on 11 June.
• Wandsworth Carers Centre will be holding a 20th Anniversary of Wandsworth Carers Centre on 11 June, with free workshops, food, entertainment, information stalls and cake. They are also having a Wandsworth Carer Bake Off on 9 June.
• Kingston Carers Network is hosting a Carers' Pamper Day on 10 June and a Benefits Talk on the 11 June.
• Carers in MIND in Richmond have a Carers Week Bag Pack on the 11 June at Sainsbury’s in Richmond Road.

For more information on Carers Week, see the Carers Week website.