Tag Archives: carers

Join Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust to Improve Accessibility in their Outpatient Services

Are you passionate about making healthcare more accessible? We’re inviting patients with physical or sensory disabilities, impairments, and carers to share their experiences and help shape improvements to our outpatient services.

Take part in a two-hour walkaround and meeting at University Hospital Lewisham (Tuesday, 28 January at 10am) or Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Wednesday, 5 February at 2pm). Your insights will directly influence changes to ensure our services are inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Click on poster for more details.

Your voice matters—join us and make a difference!

Connecting with Other Carers: Benefits and Strategies

Why Unpaid Carers Should Connect with Other Carers

Unpaid carers play an essential role in society, often providing support to loved ones with long-term illnesses, both physical and mental. However, the journey of caregiving can be challenging and isolating, making it crucial for carers to connect with others in similar roles. Establishing these connections can provide numerous benefits, including emotional support, practical advice, and a sense of community. In this blog by Matthew McKenzie, we will explore the reasons why unpaid carers should connect with other carers, structured around several key areas: emotional support, reducing isolation, accessing resources, practical advice, and mutual support for self-care.

If you want to watch the 20 minute in depth lecture, the click the video below.

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Setting Up a Carer Peer Support Group: A Comprehensive Guide

In this blog by Carer activist Matthew McKenzie, you can learn how to establish and manage a carer peer support group effectively, from defining its purpose to recruiting members and creating a supportive environment. Gain insights on structuring meetings, engaging members, and overcoming challenges for long-term success.

The blog is fairly brief and short, but you can watch the video lecture below for a more detailed explanation. (32 mins organised as an index). Sorry for the picture in section 4 overlapping the example

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Surviving the Holiday Season as an Unpaid Carer: Tips for Self-Care and Support

Welcome to another blog post by Carer Activist Matthew McKenzie. This blog and video is from my lived experience caring for a close relative and also supporting my brothers.

To watch the video lecture, please click below.

The holiday season is a time filled with joy, celebration, and connection. However, for unpaid carers, it can also be a period laden with stress, isolation, and heightened responsibilities.

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SIPS for Carers – Peer group engagement event in Lewisham

On December 14th, a carer engagement peer event took place at Sydenham’s Ignition Brewery, creating a vibrant and inclusive space for unpaid carers in Lewisham to connect and share experiences. The event, which was carer-led, was hosted by Wendy, who is passionate about strengthening the network of support for carers in the borough. Wendy was joined by her son Jamie who as a young carer was awarded “Young Resident of the Year” in 2022 by Lewisham Homes.

The gathering named Sydenham’s Ignition Peer Support “SIPS FOR CARERS” provided an opportunity for carers to engage in meaningful conversations.

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The Reason to Include Carer Only Groups To Develop Mental Health Services

Welcome to another blog post by carer activist and ambassador Matthew McKenzie. I raise awareness of unpaid carers who support those with long term ill health. This time my blog focus is on the inclusion of carer only groups at mental health service development.

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Maintaining Family Bonds in Caregiving: Communication and Support

Here is another blog by Matthew McKenzie author of “Experiences of Mental Health unpaid caring”. This time I am covering a difficult and compex topic. Caring for someone and trying to maintain the family connection.

If you want to watch the detailed version of this blog, you can watch the video below.

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Lewisham Mental Health carer forum – November 2024 update

Welcome to a brief update of my Lewisham mental health carer forum aimed at those caring for someone living with mental illness.

The carer group discussed the importance of involving carers in the planning and improvement of services, with a focus on creating a carer family involvement network and improving carer information. They also addressed concerns about the lack of involvement of black carers in Council initiatives and the need for better communication and support for carers. The conversation ended with discussions on effective communication in caregiving for mental health, the importance of self-care for carers, and the need for professional help when communication breaks down.

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Southwark & Lambeth carer forum update November 2024

Welcome to a brief update of the carer forum for Southwark & Lambeth. The forum is facilitated by Matthew McKenzie, carer activist and author. The online carer led group runs once a month.

Here is a brief update for November 2024. However before continuing on to the blog, here is a quick update from Southwark Council and South East London ICS aimed at carers from Southwark.

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