About Us
The Carers Social Group is run for carers by carers. We are all volunteers united in our aim to provide social connections for carers. In doing so, we help to make carers’ lives in Greenwich happier, healthier and easier.
Our Committee
The group is managed by our committee.
Avril Martin, Committee Member
Pearl George, Committee Member
Edithe Tematio, Treasurer
Fenella Howard, Secretary
Vivien Davies, Chair
How we started
The Carers Social Group was formed in 2021 as a result of the ‘100 Days Challenge’ project. This Royal Borough of Greenwich, post-Covid initiative brought together residents, carers, service providers and professionals to re-design the council Day Opportunity service for people with learning difficulties.
As carers taking part in the process, we described how we felt especially isolated.
Looking after an autistic or learning disabled adult is uniquely stressful; it gets harder as you get older and less able to cope mentally and physically.
We knew we needed more support, more community and a means of sharing information.
So, we took matters into our own hands and set up our own Carers Social Group.
Getting organised
In 2022, our group was awarded start-up funding from the RBG Community Innovation Grant. With this grant we were able to set up a website and pay for marketing to reach out to carers across Greenwich.
Connecting Carers
Being in a network means we can swap useful information. We also support each other by sharing the highs and lows. Nobody understands like another carer; talking to someone who can truly empathise makes the challenges so much easier to cope with.
We are a diverse mix of ages, backgrounds and cultures. Everyone is welcome and included. Carers unable to meet up in person stay connected on our lively Whatsapp group.
Our coffee morning is a drop-in every week, at which you can be sure of finding a friendly face and a listening ear.
Carers can take some healing time out in nature on our park walks, sing for pleasure in our choir, get active in our fitness group and treat themselves at our dinners out in Greenwich .
There is no membership fee and our self-organised events are always free. Importantly, loved-ones are always welcome.
Control and influence
We promote positivity and agency. Getting the right information at the right time is crucial for the life outcomes of our loved ones.
Information is shared constantly between carers in our network. We invite useful guest speakers to our coffee mornings and we have held online workshops on important topics such as will writing and Lasting Power of Attorney.
We want carers to feel in control of their own lives and to feel able to manage the care of their loved ones for as long as they want. This includes optimising care in all settings, whether this is in the family home, a residential home or supported living.
We have great links with the council, service providers and the health authority as well as our local Carers Centre. Because of this, we can provide opportunities for carers to use their voice to influence the design and delivery of services in the borough.
Ideas on how to improve are welcomed. If you would like to get more involved, please get in touch.
