Category Archives: Aimed at Carers

Blog posts aimed at non paid carers caring for someone unwell.

Carers Connect Southwark: Why Your Voice Matters More Than Ever

By Matthew McKenzie – A Caring Mind

If you’re an unpaid carer in Southwark, chances are you’re used to putting everyone else first. You support a loved one day in, day out, emotionally, practically, often invisibly. And too often, decisions about “support” for carers are made without carers truly being heard.

Southwark Council is developing its Unpaid Carers Strategy, and they are inviting unpaid carers to take part in upcoming focus groups to share real experiences, which are your lived reality.

As an unpaid carer myself, I know how rare and valuable this opportunity is.

Why having your say is important because

Policies and strategies shape:

  • What support is available
  • How easy (or hard) it is to access help
  • Whether carers feel recognised, supported, and understood

When carers don’t speak up, systems are built around us, not with us. When we do speak up, its a chance to make change becomes possible.

This isn’t about complaining.
It’s about being honest: what works, what doesn’t, and what would genuinely make life easier for carers in Southwark.

Your voice could help shape:

  • Better access to information and services
  • More flexible, carer-friendly support
  • A strategy that reflects the real pressures carers face

A safe, non-judgemental space

One of the most important things about these focus groups is that they are designed to be:

  • Non-judgemental
  • Inclusive
  • Open to carers with any level of responsibility

You don’t need to have all the answers.
You don’t need to be an “expert”.
You just need your experience.

Whether you care full-time, part-time, occasionally, or don’t even label yourself as a “carer” your perspective still counts.

Focus group dates and details

In-person focus groups
📅 24th February
⏰ 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm
📍 Harriet Hardy Community Centre
Harriet-Hardy Building, Aylesbury Estate, Albany Road, Walworth SE5 0AH

Online focus group
📅 25th February
⏰ 7pm
💻 Virtual session via Microsoft Teams

How to get involved

You can:

Even attending one session can make a difference — not just for you, but for other carers now and in the future.

A personal note from me

As unpaid carers, we are often exhausted, overlooked, and expected to “just cope”. Opportunities like this don’t come around often.

Unpaid, Unseen and Yet Unbroken: A New Spoken Word Poem

By Matthew Mckenzie – facilitator of national ethnic mental health carers forum

I’m pleased to share “Unpaid, Unseen and Yet Unbroken”, a spoken word poetry video that marks the first poem released from my forthcoming poetry collection of the same name.

This first poem speaks from within the lived reality of unpaid mental health carers, particularly those from ethnic and marginalised communities whose labour is often overlooked, misunderstood, or taken for granted. It reflects moments many carers will recognise: waiting rooms, misrecognition, quiet endurance, and the strength it takes to keep showing up without acknowledgement.

🎥 Watch the spoken word video here:

The wider collection I am currently working on brings together poems shaped by care, fatigue, love, resilience, and survival. It is a body of work rooted in lived experience and community voices, offering poetry not only as expression, but as witness and affirmation.

This first poem sets the tone for what is to come, promoting honest, reflective, and unapologetic in its call for carers to be seen, heard, and respected.

This work is part of my ongoing commitment through my A Caring Mind youtube channel to use creativity as a way to challenge stigma, amplify unheard voices, and centre care as a vital social contribution.

More poems from this collection will be shared in the coming months.

Top 20 Essential Resources for Mental Health Carers

By Matthew McKenzie FRSA BEM – Carer Activist

Caring for a loved one with a mental illness is a demanding, often under-recognized role. Many unpaid carers find themselves thrust into complex scenarios, navigating mental health crises, advocating for proper support, balancing their own wellbeing, and, too often, facing these challenges in isolation. While every carer’s journey is unique, a core set of resources can make a dramatic difference between feeling overwhelmed and finding sustainable ways to cope and thrive.

This article and video unpacks those essential resources through the lens of an experienced carer activist and carer, offering both a practical hierarchy of importance and actionable insights. Using a “tier list” as a framework, we’ll explore which resources are most urgent and why, how they fit together, and tips for navigating the labyrinth of mental health care.

To watch which resources are essential for mental health carers, watch the video below.

The Tiered Approach: Prioritizing Carers’ Needs

Resources for mental health carers can be overwhelming in scope from legal advice and crisis hotlines to financial support and practical training. To create clarity, resources are placed into four tiers:

  • S Tier (Essential): Survival-level supports; absolutely critical for continued caring and crisis management.
  • A Tier (Sustaining): Highly valuable resources that keep your caring role tenable in the long run.
  • B Tier (Enhancing): Important support systems that reduce daily strain and improve quality of life but aren’t as immediately pressing.
  • C Tier (Auxiliary): Long-term stability and planning; often overlooked but still necessary.

Let’s break down what falls into each tier and how you can access and leverage these resources effectively.

Carers: Unsung Heroes, Essential Supports

Mental health carers are the invisible backbone of the support system—shouldering enormous responsibility, often without recognition or adequate support. By focusing on these critical resources and prioritizing self-care as well as advocacy, carers can find greater resilience, confidence, and sustainability.

Remember, you are not alone. Whether you access support online, through local groups, or formal agencies, reach out, ask questions, and don’t accept “no” as the final answer when it comes to your rights and wellbeing. With the right resources and support system, caring for a loved one with mental illness can be not just a challenge to survive—but a journey where you both can thrive.

The Digital Revolution in Unpaid Care: Empowering Carers Through Technology

From Matthew McKenzie carer activist

For Unpaid carers those who support loved ones living with long-term physical or mental health conditions, they face a unique set of challenges. The role is often demanding, emotionally taxing, and can feel isolating. Yet, in recent years, the rapid advancement of digital tools, apps, and online platforms has begun to transform the landscape of unpaid care, offering new avenues for support, organization, and connection.

My blog is a short transcript of my longer video below

Drawing from the lived experience as a passionate advocate for unpaid carers and an IT professional, my article and video explores how digitization, artificial intelligence, and mobile technology are reshaping the way informal carers manage their responsibilities. We’ll delve into the practical benefits, the most useful apps, and the limitations of technology in the caring role, providing a comprehensive guide for carers seeking to harness digital tools for their own well-being and the well-being of those they support.

Understanding the Role of Technology in Unpaid Care

The Growing Demands on Carers

Unpaid carers often juggle multiple responsibilities: managing medication schedules, tracking symptoms, coordinating appointments, and advocating for their loved ones with health professionals. The emotional and cognitive load can be overwhelming, especially when combined with work, family, and personal commitments.

As I points out, “As humans, we can only remember things so often. So, especially when we’re getting older or if we are under a lot of stress trying to juggle our caring role and busy lives, it does help to have apps that can schedule these things.”

The Promise of Digitization

Digitization offers carers a “second brain”, a way to offload tasks, reminders, and information, reducing stress and mental clutter. Mobile phones, now more powerful than ever, serve as hubs for health management, communication, and emotional support. But while technology can be transformative, it’s not without its challenges, including digital literacy, access, and the irreplaceable of value of human connection.

The Future of Care: Technology as an Empowering Force

The digital revolution is reshaping unpaid care, offering carers new ways to manage responsibilities, connect with others, and support their own well-being. While technology is not a replacement, it can be a powerful ally, reducing stress, improving organization, and fostering community.

As my experience shows, embracing digital tools can transform the caring journey. By leveraging apps for health management, communication, and emotional support, carers can reclaim control, reduce isolation, and find new sources of strength.

Ultimately, the goal is not to replace human kindness or connection, but to empower carers with the tools they need to thrive. With thoughtful adoption and ongoing support, technology can help unpaid carers navigate the challenges of their role and build a brighter, more connected future.

Resources and Recommendations my video covers

Essential Apps for Carers

  • Pill Reminder: Medication management and alerts
  • Medsafe: Medication tracking and scheduling
  • NHS App: Health records, care plans, and feedback (UK)
  • Google Calendar / Microsoft Outlook: Appointment and routine management
  • To-Do List / Trello: Task organization
  • Zoom / Microsoft Teams / Google Chat: Virtual support groups and communication
  • Siri / Google Assistant: Voice commands and reminders
  • AI Journals / Well-being Apps: Emotional support and mindfulness

Tips for Safe and Effective Use

  • Choose reputable apps with strong privacy policies
  • Keep software updated to ensure security
  • Seek training or support if you’re new to digital tools
  • Balance online and offline support for holistic well-being

Conclusion

Unpaid carers are the unsung heroes of our communities, providing vital support to those living with long-term ill health. The rise of digital tools and technology offers new hope, making the caring role more manageable, less isolating, and more connected.

By embracing digitization, carers can streamline their responsibilities, access emotional support, and build resilient communities. While challenges remain, the future of care is bright, powered by technology and the enduring spirit of human kindness.

Shaping the Future of Support for Unpaid Carers in Lewisham

By Matthew McKenzie FRSA BEM – Triangle of Care community chair

As a carer living in Lewisham, I know just how important it is that our voices are heard and that the support available truly meets our needs. Whether we’re looking after a parent, a partner, a child, or a friend, we all share the same challenges balancing care responsibilities, work, our own wellbeing, and often feeling invisible in the process.

That’s why I wanted to share something that directly affects all of us. Lewisham Council and the NHS South East London ICB are currently developing a new Action Plan for Unpaid Carers (2025–2028). This plan will set out how the Council aims to identify, value, and support more carers over the next few years.

The team leading this work, including a new member who recently joined the Adults Integrated Commissioning Team, is reaching out to carers across the borough to get our feedback.

Continue reading →

Southwark Family & Carers Event at the Maudsley!

By Matthew McKenzie, Chair of the Triangle of Care Community Group

Supporting someone with mental health challenges can be both rewarding and demanding. That’s why it’s so important for families and carers to have spaces where they can connect, share experiences, and find out about the support available to them.

South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) will be hosting a special event for the family and carers of anyone using the services of Southwark community mental health teams, inpatient, or crisis services.

This free, drop-in event offers a relaxed and welcoming environment where families and carers can meet staff, learn more about how services work, and discover the support available to them.

🌈 Event Details

📅 Wednesday 26th November
🕓 4–7 PM
📍 The Maudsley Canteen
💷 Free of charge – drop in anytime

What to Expect

  • Opportunities to speak directly with staff from Southwark’s mental health teams
  • Information stalls offering resources and advice
  • Workshops focused on wellbeing and caring
  • Food & refreshments provided throughout the evening
  • Massages to help you relax
  • A choir performance to lift your spirits

This event is all about community, connection, and care – a chance to recognise the vital role families and carers play in supporting mental health recovery and wellbeing.

If you’re a carer, family member, or friend supporting someone under Southwark’s services, please do come along. It’s an opportunity not only to learn and unwind, but to feel appreciated and supported.

For more information, you can contact:
📧 David.Meyrick@slam.nhs.uk

Calling All Carers: Get Involved with the OSMOSIS Research Project

Blog by Matthew McKenzie – Carer activist

As someone who’s been advocating for carers for years through A Caring Mind, I know how important it is that carers’ experiences influence the way support systems are built. The OSMOSIS project offers a real chance to help improve understanding and services for those of us supporting loved ones with severe mental health conditions.

If you are caring for someone living with psychosis, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder, here’s an opportunity to make your voice heard.

Continue reading →

What Makes for Meaningful Carer Involvement?

By Matthew McKenzie FRSA BEM, Chair, Triangle of Care Community Group

This week’s Triangle of Care Member Webinar, hosted by Carers Trust, which focused on a vital question: What makes for meaningful carer involvement?

We heard from across the Triangle of Care network, these being carers, professionals, and trust representatives coming together to share what genuine involvement looks like in practice.

I spoke about my own lived experience as a carer, supporting two non-verbal brothers with autism and my late mother with mental health challenges and how this journey has shaped my advocacy for stronger partnerships between carers and professionals.

Over the years, through the Triangle of Care, I’ve seen how much difference early and equal involvement can make.

Continue reading →

Understanding Community: The Foundation of Connection

By Matthew McKenzie – A Caring Mind

Community is a word we hear often, but its true meaning and significance can sometimes be overlooked. At its core, a community is a network, a web of relationships built on shared identity, common themes, and mutual trust. Communities are formed when people come together, united by a sense of belonging and shared responsibility. This sense of belonging is not just about being part of a group; it’s about feeling valued, having a purpose, and working towards common ideals.

This blog is a transcript of the video below.

Communities exist in many forms. The most immediate and intimate is the family, where the seeds of unpaid caring are often sown.

Continue reading →

Why Unpaid Carers need to be aware of learning Digital Skills

By Matthew McKenzie

The Urgent Need for Digital Skills Among Unpaid Carers

Unpaid carers who provide support to family members, friends, or neighbors with long-term health conditions are the backbone of many communities. Their work is often invisible, yet it is essential for the well-being of countless individuals. As healthcare systems rapidly digitize, the landscape of caregiving is undergoing a profound transformation. Unpaid carers now face the challenge of adapting to new technologies, digital platforms, and online resources that are becoming integral to the delivery of care.

This blog explores why technical and digital skills are no longer just optional for unpaid carers. The blog is also a transcript of matthew’s video below.

Drawing on insights from matthew’s experience as an unpaid carer & IT professional and advocate for carers, we delve into the practical reasons behind this shift, the opportunities and challenges it presents, and the future trends that will shape caregiving in the years to come.

The Changing Face of Caregiving

Digitization in Healthcare

Healthcare is moving online at an unprecedented pace. Electronic health records, telehealth platforms, wearable health devices, and digital prescriptions are becoming the norm. The reasons are clear: digitization streamlines processes, reduces costs, and enables real-time access to critical health data. For unpaid carers, this means that many aspects of their role now require interaction with digital tools.

The Role of Carer Centers

Local carer centers have traditionally been the first point of contact for those seeking support. As these centers will play a crucial role in helping carers acquire the skills needed to navigate the new landscape. Online training, virtual support groups, and digital resource libraries are just some of the ways carer centers are evolving.

Overcoming Barriers to Digital Inclusion

Challenges Faced by Carers

Not all carers are comfortable with digital environments. Some may lack the means to access technology, while others face disabilities that make using digital platforms difficult. For example, visual impairments can pose significant challenges. It’s important for carer centers and support organizations to recognize these barriers and provide alternative solutions where possible.

The NHS 10-Year Plan

Digitization is at the heart of the NHS’s long-term strategy. Unfortunately, unpaid Carers who fail to meet the demand for digital skills may find themselves excluded from essential services and support. Embracing technology is not just about keeping up, it’s about empowering carers to meet the needs of those they support with confidence and efficiency.

Conclusion

The digitization of healthcare is transforming the role of unpaid carers. Technical and digital skills are now essential for accessing resources, coordinating care, and advocating for loved ones. While the transition may be challenging, it offers opportunities for greater efficiency, independence, and empowerment.

If you are an unpaid carer, now is the time to invest in your digital skills. Seek out training, connect with support networks, and take advantage of the tools available. Your role is vital, and with technology on your side, you can continue to make a difference in the lives of those you care for.