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.
Date: Friday, June 13, 2025 Time: 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM (GMT+1) Location: Cygnet Churchill, 22 Barkham Terrace, London SE1 7PW Admission: Free (Limited tickets available – reserve now!)
As part of this year’s Carers Week 2025, we’re thrilled to spotlight a truly special celebration: the Carer Poetry Performance Event & Book Launch – By Carers, For Carers. Taking place in the heart of London, this inspiring event offers a rare platform for unpaid carers to raise their voices through poetry, storytelling, and community.
Why This Event Matters
Caring can be isolating, demanding, and emotionally intense. This event flips the script by offering carers a space to express their journeys, hopes, struggles, and triumphs in their own words. It’s not just about performance it’s about connection, validation, and healing through creative expression.
Whether you’re a carer yourself or an ally, this is your opportunity to witness the power of poetry and lived experience intersecting. Hear firsthand stories that move, educate, and celebrate the silent heroes among us.
A Book Launch to Remember
The event also marks the launch of a special poetry book curated from carers across the community. It’s more than just a collection of verses, it’s a tribute to resilience, empathy, and the unseen emotional labor of caring.
Hosted by Matthew McKenzie
Spearheaded by Matthew McKenzie, a dedicated carer and ambassador for Cygnet Health, this event reflects his ongoing mission to amplify the voices of carers. With over 200 events hosted, Matthew brings both expertise and passion to the stage.
Reserve Your Free Ticket
Tickets are free but extremely limited. If you want to be part of this moving and empowering experience, don’t wait. Please note the event is for unpaid carers.
Let’s come together to honor the stories behind the care. Join us for an afternoon of poetry, purpose, and community.
At Caring Mind Blog, we’re always on the lookout for ways to uplift, support, and connect our incredible community of carers. That’s why we’re thrilled to share this upcoming event hosted by West London NHS Trust, dedicated entirely to you – the carers who give so much every single day.
📅 An Event for Carers – Focusing on Equality
When: 12th June 2025 Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Where: Irish Cultural Centre, 5 Blacks Road, London W6 9DT
This event is part of Carers Week, with the theme “Caring About Equality” – recognizing the vital role carers play and the importance of inclusion and fairness for all.
What to Expect:
🌈 A welcoming space to connect with other carers
🗣️ Insightful talks and support resources
☕ Light lunch and refreshments provided – because you deserve a break!
💬 Opportunities to share experiences and ask questions
Whether you’re a full-time carer or juggling caring responsibilities alongside other commitments, this event is designed to celebrate and support you.
The Power of Community in Mental Health: Reflections on Mental Health Awareness Week 2025
By Matthew McKenzie
Mental health is a universal concern, touching every life in profound and personal ways. As we mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, the spotlight turns to a theme that is both timeless and urgently relevant: community. In a world where isolation and disconnection are increasingly common, the bonds we share with others, whether family, friends, neighbors, or online networks it can be the difference between despair and hope, between struggle and resilience.
You can watch the awareness video below.
This article explores the vital role of community in mental health, the challenges many face in accessing supportive spaces, and the collective actions we can take to ensure no mind is left behind.
Understanding Mental Health Awareness Week 2025
A Tradition of Advocacy and Reflection
For over two decades, Mental Health Awareness Week has been a cornerstone of advocacy in the UK, led by organizations like the Mental Health Foundation. Each year, this week serves as a time for reflection, education, and action, encouraging individuals and communities to prioritize mental well-being.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
