Category Archives: Carer Events

Review and updates on carer events I attend

Involve Kent Carers’ Forum – 25th February 2026

By Matthew McKenzie

On 25th February 2026, I had the privilege of speaking at the Carers’ Forum hosted by Involve Kent.

Involve is a voluntary sector infrastructure organisation in Kent that supports unpaid carers by providing information, advice and practical help to make caring more manageable.

They organise regular carers’ forums and events where carers can meet each other, access specialist support services, hear from guest speakers on issues like benefits, legal rights and wellbeing, and contribute their lived experience to local planning and decision-making. Involve also connects carers with tailored resources, signposts to relevant services across health, social care and community sectors, and advocates for carers’ voices to be heard by policymakers and service providers

The forum ran from 10:30am to 1:30pm and brought together unpaid carers from across Kent to connect, learn and have their voices heard.

It was my second time speaking at this forum, and once again I was struck by something powerful: the room was full. That might sound simple, but in the world of unpaid caring which can often feel isolating and invisible a full room means solidarity. It means people are choosing, despite exhaustion and competing demands, to show up for themselves and each other.

Arriving and the atmosphere

From the moment I walked in, there was a real sense of warmth. Information stands lined the hall Involve, Citizens Advice, mental health services, energy advice, leisure services and more. Tables were covered in leaflets, conversations were already flowing, and carers were reconnecting with familiar faces.

The purpose of the forum was clear:

To enable those caring unpaid for an adult family member, partner or friend to meet, gain information about services in their community and have their voices heard .

That last part to have their voices heard is what resonated most with me.

It was also good to see Carer leads from Cygnet Maidstone engaging with carers in the community of Kent.

My talk: Caring for someone with a mental health diagnosis

I spoke about caring for someone with a mental health diagnosis and the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework .

As many know, I cared for my mother who lived with schizophrenia, and I now support a close friend who lives with personality disorder and addiction challenges. I don’t speak as a clinician. I spoke as someone who has sat in GP waiting rooms, on inpatient wards, in crisis meetings, and at home during those “screaming silences” that carers know too well.

I shared:

  • The confusion I felt when I didn’t even realise I was a “carer”
  • The frustration of confidentiality barriers
  • The loneliness of not being listened to
  • The emotional exhaustion that comes from constantly firefighting crises

I then shared a poem to promote carers rights

But I also shared something equally important: growth, advocacy and solidarity.

I encouraged carers to:

  • Educate themselves about the condition they are supporting
  • Learn the difference between symptoms and personality
  • Understand triggers
  • Forgive themselves for mistakes
  • And most importantly, look after their own wellbeing

One message I always return to was – You cannot pour from an empty cup.

I also spoke about The Patient Carer Race Equality Framework

It exists because there is clear evidence of:

  • Disproportionate detentions under the Mental Health Act
  • Poorer outcomes for Black and minority ethnic patients
  • Higher levels of distrust between communities and services
  • Carers feeling unheard or excluded

I spoke about how minority carers can face:

  • Cultural misunderstandings
  • Language barriers
  • Stigma around mental health within communities
  • Fear of services due to past discrimination
  • A lack of culturally appropriate support

Discussion tables: Carers influencing change

After my talk, Clara from Involve led discussions feeding into Kent’s Health Needs Assessment for carers. Carers were asked:

  • How do you recognise when it’s time to ask for help?
  • What causes burnout?
  • What would a carer-friendly community look like?

These wete not token questions. Staff took notes (without identifying details) so carers’ lived experiences could directly inform local planning .

I moved around the room speaking with carers. Some were open and vocal. Others were quieter, but their listening was just as powerful. Not everyone wants to speak publicly and that’s okay. Being present is also participation too.

Power of Attorney – protecting your voice

Later in the morning, Glen Miles spoke about the Mental Capacity Act and Lasting Power of Attorney .

As carers, we often assume we will automatically be consulted in crises. The reality is different. Without legal authority, our ability to advocate can be limited.

One key takeaway:

  • Don’t delay in arranging Lasting Powers of Attorney.
  • If you want your voice – or your loved one’s voice – to be heard, formalise it.

For carers who have experienced being excluded from decisions, this was a particularly important session.

Citizens Advice & practical support

Ian from Citizens Advice spoke before lunch about benefits, debt, housing and confidential support .

With the cost of living crisis, carers are under immense financial pressure. Many reduce employment hours or leave work entirely. The session was a reminder that:

  • Advice is free
  • It is confidential
  • You can attend anonymously
  • You are not judged

Lunch followed – catered by Fusion – and honestly, some of the most meaningful conversations happen over sandwiches. Carers swapping stories. Sharing phone numbers. Recommending services. That peer-to-peer support is priceless.

What stayed with me

What stayed with me most wasn’t just the agenda or the presentations.

It was:

  • The older carer quietly nodding as I spoke about emotional exhaustion.
  • The new carer asking, “Is it normal to feel this angry sometimes?”
  • The male carers who stayed behind to speak to me privately.
  • The carers from minority backgrounds who spoke about cultural barriers and stigma.

These forums matter because carers matter.

Unpaid carers save the system billions. But beyond economics, we hold families together. We absorb crises. We advocate in rooms where we’re not always welcomed.

Involve Kent (Carers’ Support – West Kent)

Address:
30 Turkey Court, Turkey Mill, Ashford Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 5PP

Telephone: 03000 810 005
General email: hello@involvekent.org.uk
Carers support contact: communitynavigation@involvekent.org.uk
Website: http://www.involvekent.org.uk

Carers Connect Southwark – Why Co-Production Matters

Carers Connect Southwark – Why Co-Production Matters

By Matthew McKenzie, A Caring Mind

Today I had the privilege of speaking at Carers Connect Southwark, part of the engagement programme shaping the new Southwark Adult Social Care Carers Strategy 2026. The room was filled with unpaid carers people supporting loved ones, friends and family members every single day, often quietly, often invisibly, and too often without recognition.

I was invited to encourage carers to use their voice. Because this strategy refresh isn’t just a document it is the unpaid carers strategy for Southwark. And if carers do not shape it, it will not truly reflect their lives.

Why This Event Matters

Southwark Council is developing a new carers strategy that will set out the vision for universal and statutory support in the borough for people caring for loved ones and friends .

The engagement process – supported by the Institute of Public Care (IPC) – is designed to:

  • Understand carers’ real experiences
  • Identify gaps in services and resources
  • Raise awareness of existing support
  • Encourage people to identify themselves as carers and seek help

This isn’t consultation for consultation’s sake. This is about influence.

Speaking From Experience

As someone who has cared and continues to work alongside carers through my mental health carers group for Southwark, Lambeth & Lewisham, I know first-hand how isolating caring can be. Many carers don’t even identify as carers they see themselves as “just a mum”, “just a son”, “just a partner”.

But caring changes your life. It affects:

  • Your physical and mental health
  • Your employment and finances
  • Your relationships
  • Your identity

When I spoke today, my message was simple: Your experience is expertise.

Professionals bring policy knowledge. Councils bring structure and statutory responsibility. But carers bring lived reality.

Without that reality, strategies risk becoming well-meaning but disconnected from daily life.

The Power of Co-Production

Co-production means designing services with people, not for them.

In the focus groups, carers were asked about:

  • What support works well
  • What doesn’t
  • What matters most
  • What priorities should shape the future strategy

That is very powerful.

When carers speak honestly about navigating assessments, accessing respite, struggling with mental health, or juggling work and care, they are not complaining – they are building a better system.

True co-production shifts the balance:

  • From passive recipients to active partners
  • From assumption to lived evidence
  • From policy written about carers to policy written with carers

Why Feedback Is Not Optional, It Is Essential

Too often carers are exhausted. After a long day of caring, attending a focus group can feel like another task. I acknowledged that today.

But I also said this:
If carers do not feed back, decisions will still be made.

The difference is whether those decisions are informed by reality or by assumption.

The Southwark carers strategy will influence:

  • Funding priorities
  • Service design
  • Eligibility awareness
  • Communication approaches
  • Long-term vision for carer support

That makes these conversations crucial.

A Call to Carers

If you are an unpaid carer in Southwark and you see opportunities like this – attend. Speak. Share.

Your feedback:

  • Shapes policy
  • Influences services
  • Challenges blind spots
  • Creates accountability

Most importantly, it ensures that future support reflects real lives, not theoretical ones.

Final Reflections

Leaving the event, I felt hopeful.

Hopeful because carers showed up.
Hopeful because they spoke honestly.
Hopeful because the strategy refresh process appears to be genuinely seeking lived experience.

But hope must be matched with action.

Speaking as a Carer: Reflections from the Carers’ Wellbeing Conference, London

By Matthew McKenzie

I’ve spoken at many events over the years, but standing in a room full of carers always is a great experince differently. The room filled with lived experience, this time paid and unpaid carers carrying invisible weight of caring stories that rarely get space.

The Carers’ Wellbeing Conference in London, organised by Carers’ Mind CIC, was a moment where carers were allowed to be people first.

The event was hosted at The Abbey Centre, a welcoming community venue in Westminster that provides vital space for local groups, charities, and events focused on wellbeing, inclusion, and social support.

CarersMind CIC is a community-interest organisation dedicated to improving the wellbeing, visibility, and support of both paid and unpaid carers. Through accessible events, practical training, and open conversations about mental health, CarersMind CIC creates safe spaces where carers are recognised as individuals

The Impact of Caring on Mental Health

When I was invited to speak about “The Impact of Caring on Mental Health and What Actually Helps”, I didn’t hesitate. Caring has shaped every part of my adult life. It has taught me empathy, patience, advocacy, but it has also exposed me to burnout, trauma, guilt, and long stretches of isolation.

Too often, carers are spoken about rather than with. This conference made a conscious effort to centre carers’ voices, not as an afterthought, but as expertise.

The Room Told Its Own Story

At the conference, there was no pressure to “cope better” or “be more resilient” without acknowledging the cost. Instead, there was honesty.

Carers spoke about:

  • Burnout that creeps in quietly
  • Guilt for needing rest
  • The emotional toll of long-term responsibility
  • Feeling unseen by systems that rely on them

These were truths that deserved to be heard without judgement.

What Claire Shelton Shared at her session

Claire spoke openly about how caring impacts mental health carers over time, not just during moments of crisis. she talked about trauma that doesn’t announce itself, about stress containers that overflow slowly, and about how carers often normalise distress because “there’s no other option.”

Most importantly, she focused on what actually helps:

  • Being recognised as a carer both formally and emotionally
  • Access to peer support, not just professional services
  • Practical tools that reduce isolation
  • Boundaries that protect carers’ wellbeing without guilt

One resource Claire highlighted was the Hub of Hope, because carers need access to support that doesn’t require jumping through endless hoops. These matter not because they fix everything, but because they return a small amount of control to people who’ve lost a lot of it.

What I Shared in my session

In my session, I spoke from lived experience about the long-term impact of caring, shaped deeply by my role as a carer for my mother. I shared how caring is rarely defined by single moments of crisis, but by the gradual, cumulative pressure that builds over time. This includes the emotional labour, the constant vigilance, and the way stress and trauma often go unrecognised because caring simply becomes “what you do.”

I reflected on how caring for my mother affected my mental health, identity, and sense of self. This experience led me to speak about carers’ rights the right to be recognised as a carer, to be involved in decisions, to access support, and to protect one’s own wellbeing without guilt or fear of judgement.

Most importantly, I focused on what actually helps:

  • Being identified and recognised as a carer, both formally and emotionally
  • Understanding and exercising carers’ rights
  • Access to peer support grounded in shared lived experience, not only professional services
  • Practical tools that reduce isolation and complexity

The Power of Being in the Same Room

One of the most powerful moments wasn’t during my talk it was during the conversations that followed. Carers sharing strategies with each other. Nodding in recognition. Saying, “I thought it was just me.”

That’s the quiet power of events like this. They remind carers that their experiences are valid, shared, and worthy of space.

A Collective Effort

It was a privilege to share the day with:

  • Claire Shelton, who spoke with clarity and compassion about resilience, stress management, and boundaries
  • Klivert Jabea, who brought warmth, insight, and a strong message that self-care is not a luxury
  • The organisers at Carers’ Mind CIC, who created an environment that felt safe, inclusive, and genuinely carer-focused

This conference was about acknowledging reality and that’s where real wellbeing work begins.

Leaving with Hope and Responsibility

I left the Abbey Centre reminded of why this work matters. Carers are holding together families, communities, and systems often at great personal cost. Supporting carers isn’t optional. It’s essential.

Resources and Support for Carers

If you are a carer and are looking for support for your wellbeing, mental health, or caring role, the following resources were highlighted or reflected in discussions during the conference:

  • Hub of Hope — https://hubofhope.co.uk
    A free, UK-wide mental health support database that helps carers find local and national services quickly, without needing to navigate complex systems. It is particularly useful for carers who may not know where to start or who feel overwhelmed by traditional referral pathways.
  • CarersMind CIC — https://carersmind.co.uk/
    A community interest company focused on improving carers’ mental health and wellbeing through events, training, and open conversations that centre lived experience. Their work creates spaces where carers feel recognised, heard, and supported.
  • Carers UK — https://www.carersuk.org/
    Provides information on carers’ rights, benefits, assessments, and practical guidance for unpaid carers across the UK.
  • Mind — https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/carers-friends-family-coping-support/
    Offers mental health information, helplines, and local services, including support relevant to carers experiencing stress, anxiety, or burnout.
  • NHS Carers Support
    Local NHS and local authority carers services can offer carers’ assessments, signposting, and practical support. Availability varies by area, but carers have a right to request an assessment.
  • Rethink Mental Illness – Carers Hub — https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/carers-hub/
  • Information and guidance for carers supporting someone with mental illness, including rights and practical support.

Carols, Community and the Quiet Strength of Carers – Reflections from the Carers UK Christmas Service 2025

By Matthew McKenzie

On 4th December 2025, I had the privilege of attending the Service of Christmas Carols and Readings for Carers UK (for their 60th anniversary) at The King’s Chapel of the Savoy.

As many will know, Carers UK is a national charity that offers advice, information, and advocacy for unpaid carers, people who look after a family member or friend due to illness, disability, mental health challenges or frailty.

Their work is vital and ranges from campaigning for carers’ rights, to shaping policy, to providing emotional and practical support.

As someone who has spent years amplifying carers’ voices, and as someone who has been a carer myself, I always find moments like this grounding. They remind me that carers are so often hidden and deserve spaces of recognition, reflection, and community.

I couldnt capture the whole event, so a lot of it is from memory,

The King’s Chapel of the Savoy, with its royal heritage and intimate atmosphere, felt like the perfect place for such a service. The carved wood, the vivid ceiling, the echo of voices old and new it all contributed to an environment where carers could feel honoured rather than overlooked.

A Service That Told carer Stories

The order of service blended scripture, poetry, classic carols, and carers’ own words. Each part spoke to a different dimension of caring, love, sacrifice, resilience, loss, hope.

Here is a clear, concise list of the Carers UK Christmas Carol Service Order, based on the programme you shared.

Some of the order of Service – Carers UK Christmas Carols and Readings

  1. Carol – Once in Royal David’s City
  2. Welcome & The Bidding Prayer by The Revd Canon Thomas Woodhouse MA
  3. Welcome on Behalf of Carers UK by Helen Walker, Chief Executive
  4. Gospel According to Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 8–20 Reader: Rt Hon Sir Ed Davey MP
  5. Reading – Gospel According to Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 1–7, Reader: The Rt Rev Rob Wickham
  6. Reading – Extract from A Christmas Carol, Reader: Jaycee La Bouche, a carer
  7. The Blessing by The Revd Canon Thomas Woodhouse MA

Below are some reflections on the elements that struck me the most, based on the transcript provided.

I started noting down things when hearing the classic Clement Clarke Moore poem brought a sense of nostalgia and gentleness. For many carers, Christmas isn’t always restful, it can be emotionally heavy or practically demanding. Yet this reading reminded me of the grounding power of tradition.

There was also a Carer’s Poem – “I Carried Him” (Martin Seare), which was read by Tiggy Walker. The poem captured something familiar to many carers, which is the sense of being the energy source behind someone else’s survival. The feeling of being nurse, advocate, motivator, protector, and emotional anchor, all at once.

Jaycee’s reading from A Christmas Carol brought a heartfelt authenticity to the service, grounding Dickens’ message of compassion in real lived experience. Hearing a carer deliver those words reminded me how powerfully stories of renewal that echo the emotional journeys many carers navigate every day.

We also heard an extract from A Christmas Carol, where hearing Dickens’ words about Scrooge’s transformation felt fitting. Carers often live in a world full of systems that need to “wake up” to their realities, these systems overdue for compassion and change.

There was another Carer’s Poem – “Hands That Once Held Me” (Aaliyah O’Neill), which was read by Pippa Haywood. This poem honoured the emotional labour that accompanies caring, the grief, the patience, the love that persists through fading timelines and shifting identities.

Walking around after the service, we were provided with wine and mince pies (I could only handle one glass of mine), but ate a lot of mince pies. I also noticed on a nearby table, beautifully wrapped with red ribbon, were copies of books written by individuals deeply connected to the world of caring.

Tiggy Walker’s Both Sides Now offered a tender, candid exploration of love, loss, and the emotional realities of caring, while Why I Care highlighted personal reflections on the value and challenges of supporting others by Sir Ed Davy. Seeing these books at the event felt fitting, they extended the service’s message by giving carers stories they could see themselves in, learn from, and feel strengthened by.

Carols – Collective Voice, Collective Strength

Carols like “Once in Royal David’s City,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “In the Bleak Midwinter,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” took on added meaning.

Singing these in chapel reminded me that carers often feel alone, but they are part of a much larger story. Carols have always been about shared experience, hope, and unity. That unity was felt strongly throughout the chapel.

A Blessing for Carers

Towards the end, The Revd Canon Thomas Woodhouse offered prayers acknowledging:

  • those who care
  • those who are cared for
  • those who grieve
  • those who find joy in service
  • those who struggle silently

What the Service Meant to Me as a Carer

I left the event feeling the followng:

Being Seen

Carers rarely hear their stories reflected back to them with such respect. This service did that.

Connected

Being surrounded by fellow carers, supporters, faith leaders, and advocates reminded me that we are not navigating these challenges alone.

Renewed

Christmas can be difficult for many carers, i am running a few carer groups to reduce isolation, but this service offered a moment to pause, reflect, and recharge spiritually and emotionally.

Motivated

Each poem and reading reinforced why I continue to campaign and raise awareness: because carers’ lives, struggles, and contributions must be brought into public consciousness.

Final Thoughts

The Carers UK Christmas Service wasn’t just a festive gathering, it was a space that lifted the voices and experiences of carers into the light.

Carers UK continues to be a champion for those who give so much of themselves. And events like this remind us that recognition, community, and hope are powerful gifts.

I left the chapel gratefull for the stories shared, for the solidarity felt, and for the reminder that carers are, and always have been, at the heart of what makes our communities truly compassionate.

BONUS : A small tour of the chapel.

History in the Woodwork: Discovering the Stories Behind the Savoy Chapel’s Symbols

One unexpected part of attending the Carers UK Christmas Service at The King’s Chapel of the Savoy was the opportunity to explore some of the chapel’s remarkable historical artefacts. As a carer and someone who works in carer advocacy, I often reflect on continuity on how the past shapes the present. Walking around the chapel, I realised the walls were not just decorative; they were storytellers.

These objects and emblems remind us that the Savoy Chapel is a living part of royal, national, and personal history. And in many ways, the quiet endurance reflected in these items echoes the resilience of carers across the country.

1. The Heraldic Plaques on the Chapel Walls

Along the wooden panelled walls were beautifully detailed heraldic plaques, each representing past members or senior figures associated with the Royal Victorian Order or individuals linked to the chapel’s long history of royal service.

The Royal Victorian Order was established in 1896 by Queen Victoria as a way of personally recognising service to the monarch. That personal element, service based on loyalty, commitment, and relationship. That i felt especially meaningful as someone attending the Carers UK event.

Each plaque typically includes:

  • A coat of arms, with symbols representing the individual’s heritage, achievements, or values.
  • A Latin motto, often referencing duty, honour, or faith.
  • A record of rank or title, showing how the person was tied to the Crown or Order.

Standing before these plaques, I was reminded that service, whether to the Crown or to a loved one is always part of a bigger human story.

2. The Book of Remembrance

Displayed under protective glass, the Book of Remembrance is one of the most moving artefacts in the Savoy Chapel. It is handwritten and illuminated in a traditional style, much like medieval manuscripts.

The book honours individuals connected to the chapel, recording their names, contributions, and sometimes short dedications. Every entry is crafted with care, respecting the memory of those who served their communities or the Royal Household.

3. The Stalls with Coats of Arms of Officers and Servants of the Order

In the choir stalls, more coats of arms decorate the woodwork. These represent officers, registrars, chaplains, and others who have served the Royal Victorian Order over the decades.

Each shield is different, but together they form a visual tapestry of dedication. They signal continuity across generations much like how caring roles pass through families, communities, and time.

You can almost imagine the individuals who once occupied these seats, each carrying out their duties with diligence. Their heraldry remains here as a testament to lives spent in service.

4. The Mantle and Insignia of a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order

One of the most striking displays was the ceremonial mantle worn by a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO). The deep blue and crimson robe, gold tassels, and the star emblem reflect the highest grade of this honour.

The mantle’s presence is not merely decorative:

  • The GCVO is awarded personally by the monarch, not via government recommendation.
  • It recognises exceptional service to the Crown.
  • The Star, Badge, and Collar each represent centuries-old tradition.

5. The Royal Victorian Order and Medal Display

This framed display explains the different grades of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) and shows examples of the insignia, including:

  • Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GCVO)
  • Knight/Dame Commander (KCVO/DCVO)
  • Commander (CVO)
  • Lieutenant (LVO)
  • Member (MVO)
  • Royal Victorian Medal (RVM) in Gold, Silver, and Bronze

The RVM is unique because it honours personal service by staff who support the Royal Household directly, often throughout a lifetime. The photos in the display include historical figures wearing the ribbons and badges, underscoring the order’s strong ties to loyalty and lifelong commitment.

Why These Artefacts Mattered at a Carers Event

These historical items weren’t just museum pieces; they told a story of service, loyalty, remembrance, and quiet strength. I think in that sense, they perfectly framed the Carers UK Christmas Service.

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

Filming My Story as a Carer with Specsavers Carers Hub

Today I had the opportunity to be interviewed for the Specsavers Carers Hub, a platform that shares real stories, advice, and support for those who dedicate their lives to caring. It was a chance to reflect not only on my role as a carer but also on the deeper themes of healing, connection, and creativity that shape my journey.

Telling My Story

As someone with lived experience of caring for my mother and brothers, I know first-hand how demanding and emotional the role of an unpaid carer can be. I shared their story through my words and memories.

Speaking on camera about my caring role reminded me why visibility matters. Carers often go unseen, yet carer voices hold the power to inspire change, raise awareness, and remind others that they are not alone.

The Importance of Self-Healing

One of the most important parts of my journey has been recognising the need for self-care and self-healing. Carers often put the needs of others before their own, but to continue supporting loved ones, we must nurture our own wellbeing. Whether through reflection, community, or creative outlets, finding ways to heal is not selfish.

Connecting with Carers

During the interview, I spoke about the importance of connection. Meeting other carers, whether through groups, campaigns from Carers UK, or online spaces, brings a sense of solidarity. I wont say much about the interview, you will need to watch the video when it is released.

The Power of Poetry and Words

For me, poetry has always been a form of healing. Writing and performing allows me to give shape to emotions that are often hard to express. In the beginning of my caring journey, words were painful, but after a while words can be medicine they can validate, soothe, and inspire both writer and listener.

A Special Thanks to Specsavers

I couldn’t end without mentioning the role my Specsavers glasses played in my journey. Whether it’s writing late into the night, reading the works that inspire me, or standing up to perform poetry, my glasses have been an essential tool.

To check out previous carer stories, please viset the Specsavers Carers Hub below.

https://www.youtube.com/@SpecsaversCarersHub

Keep an eye out for the latest set of videos from Specsavers Carers hub

Healing Through Words: Poetry Workshop at West Ealing Library – 18th September

By Matthew McKenzie – Carer poet and Carer activist

On the 18th of September, West Ealing Library once again became a hub of creativity, reflection, and connection as carers gathered for our second poetry workshop. Guided by carer activist and writer Matthew McKenzie, the session offered not just writing prompts, but a safe and supportive space to explore the healing power of words.

Poetry as Expression and Healing

The morning began with Matthew sharing his personal journey from caring for his mother living with schizophrenia, to writing books on mental health and carer experiences, and now using poetry as a tool for both advocacy and self-expression.

For many carers, life can feel isolating, exhausting, and invisible to wider society. Poetry offered participants a way to give voice to those emotions. As I reminded carers, “Poetry gives shape to what’s hard to say” — even if it’s just a few lines scribbled on paper, those words can carry truth, comfort, and even influence change.

Continue reading →

Celebrating Unpaid Carers – A Night of Recognition

By Matthew McKenzie – Carer champion

On Friday 12th September 2025, I had the privilege of attending Abilities Development’s Awards Night: Celebrating Unpaid Carers at The Grange in London. The event was a moving and powerful reminder of the sacrifices, love, and resilience shown by unpaid carers across our communities.

The event was hosted by founder Dr Karen May, who spoke passionately about the vision to celebrate and support unpaid carers. The evening also included tributes from fellow carers sharing their lived experiences, moving reflections on the sacrifices and strength carers show daily, and recognition from community leaders.

As many of you know, unpaid carers often go unseen, their daily contributions hidden behind closed doors. Yet they carry the heavy responsibilities of looking after loved ones with compassion and strength, often without formal recognition. This event was different, it put carers at the centre, reminding us all that their efforts matter and deserve to be celebrated.

We were given a tour of the facilities available for unpaid carers and their loved ones to us.

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of awards and certificates to unpaid carers. Each recipient was honoured with a Certificate of Honour in Caregiving, recognising their unconditional love, tireless dedication, and the invaluable role they play in supporting their loved ones without financial reward or formal recognition.

The evening, attended by the Mayor of Brent and other distinguished guests, was filled with speeches that spoke to the heart of caregiving, its challenges, its emotional toll, but also its incredible strength. One message that stood out was that carers must not forget their own worth and wellbeing. As was beautifully said on the night: “You are important. Take moments for yourself so you can rejuvenate, be well, and stay healthy.”

I was truly honoured to receive a Certificate of Honour in Caregiving myself. This certificate recognised the unconditional love and tireless dedication of carers who, without pay or recognition, give their heart, time, and energy to provide comfort, dignity, and hope. Holding it in my hands was not just a personal moment of pride, but also a reminder of the countless carers whose work too often goes unnoticed

Events like these are not “just another event.” They are opportunities to create legacies and spaces where carers are not only seen but also valued, uplifted, and supported. They are about passing on the message to future generations that caring is not a burden, but a profound act of humanity.

As someone who has long campaigned for carers’ voices, I want to encourage others to support, promote, and attend events like this. Whether it’s through organisations like Abilities Development, local carer networks, or even small community groups, recognising unpaid carers is vital.

To every unpaid carer reading this: you are a quiet hero. Every sleepless night, every whispered prayer, every act of kindness you show it matters. You matter.

Carers can book to use The Grange by contacting Abilities Development directly. Whether it’s for a quiet space to reflect, joining a carers’ group, or making use of tailored support services, The Grange offers a safe environment built around compassion and community.

Email: admin@abilitiesdevelopment.com

Voices of Mental Health Carers: Poetry & Stories

The Power of Poetry and Storytelling in the Lives of Carers

Caring for a loved one with mental health challenges or chronic illness is a journey marked by both hardship and hope. Too often, the voices of carers those who provide unpaid, tireless support are overlooked in the broader conversation about health and wellbeing. Yet, as this moving gathering of carers and poets reveals, storytelling and poetry can be transformative tools for connection, healing, and advocacy. So it was an honour to host our first poetry event at Cygnet Churchill for the 13th of June during Carers Week 2025

This Blog explores the themes, experiences, and creative expressions shared by carers, drawing from a vibrant community event centered on poetry, storytelling, and the lived realities of those who care. Through their words, we gain insight into the emotional landscape of caring, the challenges faced, and the resilience that emerges when stories are shared.

To watch the performance, please view the video below.

Giving Carers a Voice: The Motivation Behind the Book

The host of the event was myself (Matthew McKenzie), as a prolific author and advocate, where I have dedicated my eighth book to amplifying the voices of mental health carers. For me, books are more than just a means of communication they are a way to reach people who might otherwise remain unheard.

Continue reading →

Cygnet National Carers Event – Carers Week 2025

By Matthew McKenzie, Carer Ambassador, Cygnet Health Care

On Friday 13th June 2025, I had the privilege of attending and speaking at Cygnet Health Care’s National Carers Event, hosted at Cygnet Churchill in Lambeth, London. The event brought together carers, staff, professionals, and advocates to reflect on the vital role of unpaid carers who step up daily out of love, resilience, and responsibility, often with little recognition.

Carers Week is always a powerful reminder that caring touches us all – and Cygnet’s event this year was especially moving and informative. It offered a platform for carers to share their lived experience, influence policy, and strengthen our collective voice.

Agenda Highlights

The day opened with a warm welcome from Laura Sheridan & Shane Mills, setting the tone for a day grounded in empathy and collaboration. We heard from a range of speakers including:

  • Susan Hartnell-Beavis, sharing practical tools for supporting carers.
  • Kate Mercer and Carly Ellicott, who both championed carer involvement in care planning and research.
  • John Bangs OBE, who brought a national perspective on carer rights and policy.
  • Dr Angela Misra, who tackled the health implications of caregiving.
  • Julian de Takats and Matthew McKenzie (myself), focusing on empowering carers’ voices.
  • We also had insights from Dr Henk Swanepoel & Sophie Borg, who presented on collaborative approaches with carers in mental health services.
Continue reading →