Carer Support Wiltshire is a registered charity helping unpaid carers of all ages in Wiltshire to access services, information, education, training, activities, respite and breaks from their caring role.
We ensure carers have a voice and work with health and social care professionals and employers to raise awareness of the practical and mental health struggles faced by carers and endeavour to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.
The monthly café held at Olea Mediterranean supports local unpaid carers who are struggling with isolation and loneliness. It is an opportunity to socialise with others best placed to empathise with their situation, encouraging peer to peer support and a chance to have a small break away from their caring responsibilities in a warm, friendly environment with light refreshments.
Guest speakers and trained volunteers attend groups so there is always someone there for them to lean on for direct help and advice if they are at crisis point.
Many of our elderly carers are not confident using the internet and find the growing reliance upon tech for communications, referrals, applications etc daunting. Guidance navigating information online is a constant request we receive and something we can help them with at these groups, learning and sharing skills together.
We often provide extra activities at these cafes, taking the group for Christmas lunch, Easter Egg hunts and other festive activities throughout the year.
The cafe remains one of the best ways for CSW to stay in touch with carers on a personal level and provides an easy approachable avenue for new carers coming forward who are perhaps reluctant to admit to their circumstances as we so often hear is the case.
Find valuable information, advice, and support today https://carersupportwiltshire.
For young carers: https://carersupportwiltshire.co.uk/young-carers/help-advice/