Taking time for yourself as a carer isn’t always easy. The daily responsibilities, emotional demands, and constant care for others can often mean your own wellbeing takes a back seat. That’s why initiatives like Carers Active Together matter more than ever.
This Wednesday 15 April, a national day of action is bringing carers across the UK together to focus on movement, wellbeing, and community and you’re invited to be part of it.
A simple step that makes a difference
As part of the day, Carers UK is hosting a free, friendly wellbeing walk in Hyde Park, which is a chance to pause, breathe, and connect with others who understand the caring journey.
Whether you’re caring for a loved one full-time or supporting someone alongside work and life commitments, this walk is designed to be inclusive, relaxed, and welcoming. There’s no pressure, just an opportunity to enjoy fresh air, gentle movement, and good company.
Event details
Date: Wednesday 15 April
Time: 11:00am
Location: Meet at Serpentine Bar and Kitchen, Hyde Park
Cost: Free
As highlighted on the event flyer (page 1), the walk is all about giving carers a chance to “get some fresh air, connect with your community, and enjoy a supportive stroll with local carers.”
Why join the walk?
Sometimes the smallest actions like a walk in the park can have the biggest impact. Taking part in this event can help you:
Boost your physical and mental wellbeing
Meet other carers and share experiences
Feel part of a supportive community
Take a well-deserved break in a beautiful setting
You’re not alone
Carers play an essential role in our communities, often quietly and without recognition. Carers Active Together is a reminder that your wellbeing matters too and that support is out there.
If you know someone who is a carer, consider sharing this with them. A simple invitation could make a meaningful difference.
Register your place
Spaces are free, but registration is encouraged. You can sign up here: 👉 https://bit.ly/4uEXwJO
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
Carol – Once in Royal David’s City
Welcome & The Bidding Prayer by The Revd Canon Thomas Woodhouse MA
Welcome on Behalf of Carers UK by Helen Walker, Chief Executive
Gospel According to Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 8–20 Reader: Rt Hon Sir Ed Davey MP
Reading – Gospel According to Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 1–7, Reader: The Rt Rev Rob Wickham
Reading – Extract from A Christmas Carol, Reader: Jaycee La Bouche, a carer
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.
Chaired by: Matthew McKenzie – Lived Experience Carer
Welcome to the November 2025 update of the Hosptial Carer discharge group. The Hospital Carer Discharge Group is a collaborative network chaired by lived-experience carer Matthew McKenzie, bringing together unpaid carers, carer-centre teams, hospital staff and local authority representatives to improve how carers are identified, supported and involved throughout a patient’s hospital journey.
The group provides a space to share updates from hospitals and carers’ organisations, highlight challenges in discharge processes, strengthen links between community and acute services, and promote consistent carer-focused practices such as using the Carers Hospital Discharge Toolkit, developing standard operating procedures, and raising staff awareness.
The November meeting focused updates from the South East London Carer Standard Operating Procedure pilot, improving carer identification, strengthening links between community and hospital services, and practical challenges in engaging hospital teams.
For those who don’t know, In the context of the Hospital Carer Discharge an SOP is a step-by-step, structured process that hospital staff follow to ensure unpaid carers are identified, informed, supported and included consistently during a patient’s hospital stay and discharge.
It usually outlines:
How to record, communicate and follow up on carer involvement
Who is responsible at each stage (nurses, discharge teams, carer services)
What actions must be taken (e.g., asking about caring roles, sharing information, making referrals)
When these actions should happen (admission, treatment phase, discharge planning)
Who Attended
The session was well attended by a mix of carers, hospital representatives, and carer-centre staff, including:
Carer representatives
Matthew McKenzie – Chair; lived experience mental health carer; Carers UK, Carers Trust & NHS England Citizens Advisory Group volunteer.
Various peer supporters, carers involved in local networks and PPGs.
Carer support organisations
Carers Hub Lambeth
Tower Hamlets Carer Centre
Wandsworth Carer Centre
North Central London Carers Support Project
Apologies
Sutton Carers Centre
Richmond Carers Centre
Greenwich Carers Centre
Harrow Carers Centre
Bromley Well
IMAGO – Lewisham carers Centre
Bexley Carers Support
Involve Kent
Hospitals & NHS staff
Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust)
Public Service Consultants (PSC)
Bromley, Lambeth, Lewisham, Greenwich council leads (mentioned in discussion)
St George’s Hospital (GESH) – references to staff
Meeting Overview
The growing importance of carer involvement in hospitals, especially with mental health pressures and changes to the Mental Health Act.
The group’s purpose: sharing updates, strengthening links between carers and hospitals, and improving the implementation of the Carers Hospital Discharge Toolkit.
Key Presentation – Update on the South East London Carer SOP Pilot
Speaker:Public Service Consultants (PSC)
The major portion of the meeting focused on the pilot testing of a new 11-step Standard Operating Procedure for identifying and supporting unpaid carers across hospitals in South East London.
🔹 Hospitals involved in the SOP pilot
King’s College Hospital – Acute Medicine ward
University Hospital Lewisham – Hawthorne (older patients) and Alder (specialty medicine) wards
Princess Royal University Hospital (Bromley) – Frailty Unit via Transfer of Care Hub
🔹 Key outcomes
King’s College Hospital saw the strongest progress.
Nurses proactively engaged unpaid carers.
All leaflets and materials were distributed within weeks.
Carer details (with consent) were passed to Lambeth Carers Hub.
Nursing staff requested feedback loops to see the impact of referrals.
Lewisham Hospital
Progress slower initially; improved after site visits.
Ward managers highly supportive and embedding SOP practices.
Lewisham Council exploring funding for an in-hospital carers support team.
Princess Royal (Bromley)
SOP and leaflets now shared with the frailty unit.
Council to continue taking work forward.
🔹 Overall reflections
Hospitals still experience heavy winter pressures and staff capacity issues.
Engagement differs widely between NHS trusts.
Many ward teams had never seen the London Carers Toolkit, indicating a need for simplification.
Councils intend to continue cross-borough meetings after PSC’s involvement ends.
Issues & Discussion Points
1. Gaps in consistency across hospital sites
Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) had not been part of the pilot, they have requested to be included
Staff expressed interest in adopting SOP materials and joining future rollout.
2. Carer diversity and training needs
Caroline highlighted the need for:
Training reflecting different care needs: LD, dementia, mental health, elderly carers.
Cultural diversity considerations in how carers interact with hospital teams.
Better alignment with Lewisham & Greenwich’s Compassion in Care programme.
3. Current SOP scope limitations
SOP starts at the ward stage, but carers need involvement pre-admission and post-discharge.
Best practice from NICE and the national toolkit emphasises whole-journey support.
4. Hospital culture & resistance
Carer-centre staff described feeling:
Like a “hindrance” in MDT or discharge meetings
Sometimes unwelcome or blocked from engaging on wards
Fighting clinical priorities vs. carer rights
Still needing major awareness-raising to reduce resistance
A carer noted power imbalances and the risk that carers are seen as “barriers to discharge” rather than essential partners.
Updates from Carer Centres & Hospital Teams
Carers Hub Lambeth
Significant increase in referrals, especially from King’s.
Engagement seems weaker at Guy’s & St Thomas’, it looks to be still pushing for a stronger carers strategy there, but hopeful the strategy should pick up.
Working with ward rounds and direct conversations with carers.
North Central London Carers Project
Working across 8 hospital sites, possilbly
Royal Free Hospital
Barnet Hospital
North Middlesex Hospital
Chase Farm Hospital
The Whittington Hospital
University College Hospital
St Pancras Rehabilitation (Camden and West London)
Community Central London Trust
North London Foundation Trust (Mental Health)
Updates include:
A hospital “menu” to track progress across the toolkit (training, comms, discharge planning).
Embedding carers into induction programmes.
Co-authoring discharge documentation at St Pancras Rehab Centre with dedicated “carer sections”.
Upcoming use of Cerner electronic records system to automatically flag carers.
Tower Hamlets Carer Centre
Carer representative based at Royal London Hospital (east London)
Challenges include:
Slow referrals & reliance on staff awareness
Some carers only identified at crisis stage
Need to expand the carers passport across Royal London
Hackney pilot ends in March concerns about future funding
Wandsworth Carer Centre / St George’s
SONY DSC
Developing carer awareness training with Patient Experience Team
Growth in referrals after training sessions, though staff forget over time
Plan to expand ward coverage
As chair I shared St George’s new Carers Charter as a tool for accountability
Carer-Led Developments in Primary Care
A group of Lewisham unpaid carers has begun major work with GP practices, including:
Creating a PCN-wide carers information pack
Ensuring carer champions in GP surgeries
Working with pharmacies to distribute information
Improving identification on GP systems
Exploring alignment with Lewisham’s new Carers Action Plan
Plans for the Future
More invitations to NHS carer strategy leads
Sharing SOP materials with non-pilot hospitals where possible.
Matthew to link contacts across councils and hospitals for ongoing monitoring, being the following boroughs e.g.
Lewisham
Assistant Director – Adult Mental Health & Wellbeing
Joint Commissioner – Adult Mental Health & Wellbeing
Greenwich
Strategic Commissioning Lead
Commissioning Lead for Carers
Bromley
Assistant Director – Commissioning
Commissioning Officer
Bexley
Service Manager – Adult Social Care
Lambeth
Integrated Commissioning Manager – Adults and Health
Southwark
Strategic Programmes Manager
Commissioning Manager
Medium-term aims
Push for in-hospital carer support teams in Lewisham & Greenwich.
Expand training and embed carers into staff induction.
Improve pre-admission and discharge-planning pathways on carer identification and involvement for familes and carers.
Stronger collaboration between LD nurses, dementia teams, and carers services.
Longer-term aspirations
Greater consistency across trusts
Unified carers strategy within each hospital
A system where carers are routinely recognised, supported, and involved in decisions
Closing Remarks
As cchair I closed the meeting by thanking attendees and acknowledging the collective effort to improve carers’ experiences across London hospitals. I reaffirmed the importance of:
Making carers visible
Ensuring rights are upheld
Strengthening trust–carer relationships
Carrying learning into the new year
The next meeting will be scheduled in January, with hopes of smoother cross-hospital collaboration in 2024.
By Matthew McKenzie – Carer activist (volunteer of Carers UK)
Last night I attended the Mary Webster Lecture at Apothecaries’ Hall in London, a special event marking Carers UK’s 60th anniversary. As someone who has cared for family members and now volunteers with Carers UK, it was moving to sit among other carers, professionals, and campaigners who have worked so hard for recognition and equality.
The event honoured Reverend Mary Webster, the founder of Carers UK, whose vision decades ago helped lay the foundations for unpaid carers’ rights. Today, as we still fight for equality and understanding, her legacy feels more important than ever.
Setting the Scene
Apothecaries’ Hall is a grand, historic space filled with portraits and a sense of tradition. But it also felt like the right place to discuss change how we can build a future where carers are respected and supported equally. The evening began with warm welcomes and reflections from Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK. She reminded us that while progress has been made, many unpaid carers still live in poverty, often earning less than the minimum wage for full-time dedication.
Then came the highlight of the evening a talk by The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London and recently named Archbishop of Canterbury Designate, in conversation with Baroness Jill Pitkeathley OBE, long-time carer champion and former Carers UK CEO.
Dignity in Caring
Bishop Sarah spoke with warmth and honesty about her journey from nursing to the Church. What struck me most was her story about washing her grandmother’s feet when she was a young nurse, which a simple act that carried deep dignity. She used that image to describe caring itself: often quiet, unseen, but filled with compassion and humanity.
Her message was clear that care is about dignity. Every person, regardless of ability, age, or background, has value. She reminded us that dependency isn’t weakness it’s part of being human. We all depend on others at different points in our lives.
As a Black male carer, that message really resonated. In many of our communities, caring happens quietly, often behind closed doors, without recognition or support. Bishop Sarah’s words reminded me that this invisible work deserves to be seen and respected not just by policy makers, but by society as a whole.
Lessons on Equality and Faith
Baroness Pitkeathley joined Bishop Sarah for a deep conversation about equality today and tomorrow. They reflected on how far carers’ rights have come and how far we still have to go. From health and financial struggles to workplace inequality, many of the same challenges from the 1990s remain today.
Bishop Sarah also spoke about the Church’s Reimagining Care Commission, which calls for a new “covenant of care” a moral agreement between government, communities, and families to share responsibility for those who need care. It’s not just about services, but about values: compassion, respect, and community.
Hearing that from someone soon to become the Archbishop of Canterbury gave me hope. It felt like a recognition that faith, ethics, and social justice must go hand in hand.
Voices from the Floor
The Q&A that followed was emotional and powerful. Carers from the audience spoke up about their struggles housing, mental health, disability, and the loneliness that caring can bring.
One carer shared the pain of fighting for proper housing for her disabled son; another spoke about the toll on her own health. Each voice reminded me that caring is more than statistics it’s real people doing extraordinary things every day, often without support.
My Reflection as a Black Carer Activist
As I looked around the room, I thought of the carers in Black and ethnic minority communities who face extra barriers language, stigma, or fear of not being understood. Too often, our voices are missing from the conversation. I decided to have a chat with Dame Sarah Mullally about my thoughts, still nights like this show that inclusion is possible, and necessary.
Equality for carers means also recognising our diversity on different cultures, faiths, and family structures and ensuring that every carer can access the help they need, without judgement or struggle.
I left the event feeling encouraged but also challenged. Encouraged by the leadership and compassion of women like Bishop Sarah and Baroness Pitkeathley, who continue to champion carers’ rights. Challenged, because the journey isn’t over and each of us, whatever our background, has a role to play.
A Call for Tomorrow
Sixty years after Mary Webster founded Carers UK, unpaid carers are still holding society together.
We save the country billions, yet too many of us live in hardship. As Bishop Sarah said, we must rethink how we value care not as a cost, but as a cornerstone of our humanity.
For me, as a carer activist, that means continuing to speak up, share stories, and bring carers from all communities together. Because equality today and tomorrow starts with being seen, heard, and valued.
The recent Carers Forum brought together unpaid carers, health professionals, and community organisations from across South London to share updates, experiences, and ideas for improving mental health support. The event, chaired by Matthew McKenzie, created a safe and open space for carers to connect, exchange information, and have their questions heard by local health leaders.
Setting the Scene
Matthew opened the session by welcoming carers from across Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark. He spoke about the importance of providing carers with dedicated time to hear from service providers, particularly those supporting someone with mental ill-health and to ensure their voices shape local mental health strategies.
Today, I had the privilege of being part of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Mental Health Fair, held on Thursday 2nd October, in recognition of World Mental Health Day 2025.
The event brought together a wide range of organisations and community groups working tirelessly to support the mental health and wellbeing of patients, families, and carers.
Why carers need to be at the heart of mental health conversations
As someone who has cared for a loved one experiencing mental health challenges, I know firsthand the importance of recognising and supporting carers through the groups i run.
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.
In July 2025, we held another meeting of the London Hospital Discharge Carers Forum, which brings together carer centres, NHS professionals, and lived experienced unpaid carers to explore how we can better support unpaid carers through the complex hospital discharge journey.
With key developments shared, questions raised, and future opportunities on the table, I’m sharing this blog to ensure everyone is informed.
A Focus on Hospital Discharge but With Carers at the Centre
The forum continues to highlight how vital carer centres are in delivering effective, compassionate discharge support. But alongside that recognition comes rising expectations: better digital access, stronger links with acute hospital teams, more formal involvement in care planning, and even new digital tools to manage carer identity and input.
Our role is growing and so is the need for collective visibility and coordinated action.
Key Themes from July’s Discussion
1. NHS England Hospital Discharge Toolkit & Care Contingency Plan As an involved carer, I delivered the NHS England update. The main message? The Care Contingency Plan (CCP) is becoming a key focus across the system. There are planning sessions due in September, and carer centres might be asked whether they can take on CCP delivery alongside existing carers assessments.
This triggered a crucial question: Will additional funding or contractual support be offered to carer centres taking on CCPs? because we can’t afford to quietly absorb additional workload without clarity on resources or expectations.
2. Digital Tools – NHS App & Carer Self-Identification With the growing digitisation of NHS services, there are plans to enable carers to self-identify via a digital route. The Universal Care Plan (UCP) is being built into the NHS app, but there’s confusion about whether a separate “carer app” is being developed too.
We’ve asked NHS England for clarification: Will carers be expected to use one NHS app to manage both contingency plans and carer registration, or will multiple systems be introduced? The answer will have implications for how we support carers with digital skills and accessibility.
3. The Bigger Picture – NHS 10-Year Plan and Local Adaptation We explored how the new 10-Year NHS Plan mentions carers primarily in the context of discharge, but offers little in terms of direct support or investment in carers themselves. Several carer centres raised concerns about being seen only as a means to improve discharge outcomes, rather than as partners in their own right.
That said, some centres are using the plan as an opportunity, working with local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to adapt and influence how the priorities are rolled out locally, including integration with neighbourhood health centres and walk-in clinics.
Peer Learning and Local Centre Updates
As always, our meeting included practical insights from carer centres embedded in local hospitals. Topics included:
Establishing hospital-based carer hubs and information desks.
Hosting monthly drop-ins for carers on specific wards (e.g. stroke and frailty).
Using ward rounds to identify and build relationships with staff willing to act as carer champions.
Overcoming challenges in gaining visibility, sustaining presence, or maintaining resource levels for in-hospital work.
Planning carers coffee mornings and pop-up stands to increase footfall and engagement.
For newer hospital-based carer workers, this space proved invaluable as a place to learn from colleagues, gather ideas, and avoid isolation.
Project Developments: What Centres Need to Know
Several borough-wide and London-wide initiatives are taking shape that could directly affect how carer centres operate in coming months:
A standard operating procedure for hospital discharge, currently being developed across South East London, is aiming to streamline how carers are engaged at discharge, with pilot sites starting this September.
In North Central London, work is underway on a web portal that makes it easier for hospital and emergency staff to refer carers into local support services including from the London Ambulance Service.
Carer Centres in several areas are starting or refreshing carer charters, carer passports, and surveys designed to codify carer involvement and measure experience across hospital pathways.
Carer support workers at one major South London hospital are re-establishing visibility post-staff transition. Efforts are underway to build new ward-level relationships and identify carer champions among staff. The centre is also exploring monthly carer drop-ins, asking the group for ideas on what works well and what doesn’t.
One East London carer centre has established a hospital-based hub on a specific ward floor, acting as a go-to space for carers needing support or information. They also run monthly drop-in sessions on elderly/frailty and stroke wards conditions where family involvement in discharge planning is often critical.
These projects are at different stages, but all point to one thing: carer centres are being asked to operate more visibly, more formally, and more digitally. It’s essential we shape this process and not just respond to it.
With NHS England’s CCP work moving fast and carer integration into digital systems ramping up, carer centres can no longer afford to remain on the sidelines.
We have a chance to be informed of policy changes early not after implementation.
Carer centres and hospitals can raise concerns about workload, training, and funding before it’s too late.
Newer or isolated workers benefit from collective knowledge-sharing and support.
This is not just another meeting, it’s one of the few cross-borough forums focused squarely on carer centres in the acute hospital context.
Looking Ahead: September Session
Our next meeting will be held usually the last week of September.
Let’s not let carers be an afterthought. Let’s make sure carer centres are seen, heard, and properly resourced.
The session opened with updates and heartfelt check-ins. One of our carer members, shared a deeply personal and challenging situation regarding her loved ones declining mental and physical health. Despite strained family dynamics and the emotional burden of caring, a carer is courageously advocating for her loved one and seeking support through nursing services and assessments.
Peer Support: Insights from Experience
Long-time members offered valuable perspectives from their own journeys. A carer shared their struggle supporting individuals, which showed a stark reminder of the emotional and logistical toll caring can take. Another carer encouraged fellow carers to prioritise their own well-being, even in small ways a cup of tea, a short walk, a moment to breathe.
Are you currently juggling the responsibility of caring for both a child and a care-dependent adult? If so, you may be what we call a “sandwich carer”—someone who provides care for loved ones across different generations.
At UCL’s Center for Transport Studies, They are conducting an important research study exploring the travel experiences of sandwich carers, and we want to hear from you.
Why Participate?
Sandwich carers play a critical role in our society, often balancing work, caregiving, and personal needs—all while navigating complex travel routines. However, little is known about how this group manages their daily transportation. Your input can help inform future transport policies and support systems to make travel more accessible and manageable for carers like you.
Who Can Take Part?
You are eligible if:
You are a carer for at least one child and one care-dependent adult,
And you currently live in England.
How to Participate
Simply scan the QR code in the flyer (see below) to complete a short pre-screening questionnaire. It only takes a few minutes and is the first step to being part of this valuable study.
Get Involved Today
Your voice matters. By participating, you’ll be contributing to research that could lead to meaningful change for thousands of carers across the country.
For any questions or more information, feel free to contact us at: 📧 njoud.hurr.20@ucl.ac.uk
Thank you for considering taking part in this important work. Please share this invitation with others who might qualify.
A Caring Mind 