Wonder Wellness Activities and vital work to improve the experience of discharge for Carers.
We, Carers Voice Norfolk and Waveney, are committed to improving the lives of unpaid Carers across Norfolk and Waveney. Recognising that many Carers often prioritise the wellbeing of those they care for over their own health, we recently organised a series of wellness activities in June and July, based on direct feedback from Carers themselves. These activities were a key part of our Carer Involvement Meetings and focused on providing carers with opportunities to take time for their own health and wellbeing.
Carers were invited to share their preferences, and from their input, we developed a schedule of enriching activities, including:
- Seated yoga sessions, including the opportunity to join an in person session at the College of West Anglia
- Guided hand reflexology
- Windowsill gardening
- Meditation and sound bath session
In addition to these wellness activities, the “What Matters to Me” segment of our Carer Involvement Meetings provided an important platform for Carers to voice their experiences and concerns. One prominent issue raised was the discharge process, where some Carers felt excluded from planning, and were not provided with adequate information about medications and follow-up appointments.
In response, we are actively working with Carers and practitioners across health and social care to co-produce a comprehensive booklet for Carers. This project is being led by Graham Goodwin, our Carers Voice Ambassador, alongside Carolyn Fowler, Executive Lead for Carers within the Norfolk & Waveney Integrated Care System. The booklet will serve as a vital resource for Carers, offering guidance from hospital admission through to discharge. It will be piloted at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Norfolk Community Health Care Services in the western region of the county. Key sections will include:
- Support for Carers
- Supporting the person you care for during their hospital stay
- Preparing for discharge
- A comprehensive checklist
Sharon Brook, our Chief Officer, emphasised the importance of this collaborative effort, stating: “Working with Carers and practitioners across the health and social care system has allowed for meaningful coproduction. The result will be a resource that Carers truly want and need to support them when the person they care for is admitted into hospital through to when they are discharged .”
This vital initiative is made possible thanks to the generous support of the National Lottery Community Fund, and we are incredibly grateful for their ongoing commitment to improving the lives of Carers in our community.
If you are an unpaid Carer in Norfolk or Waveney and would like to get involved in our future activities or provide feedback, please sign up to become a member here: carersvoice.org/carer-voice-membership/. Together, we can continue to make a positive difference in the lives of those who care for others.