This year’s National Carers Week took place between the 8th and 14th June. Carers Week highlights the vital work carried out by those who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled. This year the theme for the week was ‘Carers… the UK’s secret service’ and called for carers to receive greater recognition for the incredible contribution they make to their families and their communities.

One of the less well known services that Willen Hospice provides is support to family and friends who are caring for a Hospice patient. The Carers Support Service offers a drop in session that carers can attend to share experiences and access information, home visits to carers to provide support and volunteers to sit with patients to enable carers to have a break.

Pamela and Paul entertain patients and carers

The Carers Support Service organised two special events for Carers Week:  a ‘Pamper Day Drop In’ in the Day Hospice on 8th June where carers, relatives and friends of Hospice patients could drop in for massage, reflexology, Reiki, art activities and refreshments; and a special ‘Concert Night’ on 10th June, again in the Day Hospice. The entertainment was provided by Music in Hospitals.

Melody Hornblow, Activity Co-ordinator, said:

 “Pamela Ward was a lovely Yorkshire lady who sang lots of nostalgic songs which our visitors enjoyed. Paul accompanied her on the guitar. The atmosphere was very warm and friendly with everyone singing along.  Patients and carers commented that the concert was excellent and they found it to be a very sociable and enjoyable evening. After the performance we chatted and reminisced over a buffet supper.  Patients and carers left feeling uplifted and relaxed.”

Christine Morris, a Carer who attended the concert, said:

“Thank you for organising such a lovely evening for the carers and their families on Wednesday evening. It was so nice to be able to get dressed up to go out for a sociable event together. For Howard to go out somewhere comfortable and familiar was very reassuring, it made the outing so much easier for him to cope with.
The singing was lovely and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and relaxed enough to join in the songs.”

For more information about Willen Hospice’s Carers Support Service please contact the Social Care Department at the Hospice on 01908 663636.