The Carers Project is one of a number of initiatives run by the Birmingham Buddhist Centre to extend our compassionate reach into the community. You can contact the project team at carersbreaks14@gmail.com or on their new phone number 07592 202018.
What is the Carers Project?
Our project offers carers a chance to learn relaxation techniques and approaches which help them cope better with stress. Sessions are for unpaid carers of family members or friends who live in Birmingham or care for someone living in Birmingham.
The Birmingham Buddhist Centre is a delivery partner of Birmingham Carers Hub – the hub has a helpline 0333 006 9711 and a website and are also on Facebook. Their email address is info@birminghamcarershub.org.uk. The Birmingham Carers Hub partnership is managed by Forward Carers CIC and funded by Birmingham City Council, and Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board who are integrated with the Birmingham Children’s Trust.
CARER BREAKS
We will be able to offer more away days and overnight breaks in the coming years, thanks to Birmingham Carers Hub who commission us to run the Carers Wellbeing Project. Check this page for any new dates in the coming months.
NEXT BREAK: Weekend stay Friday 22 March – Sunday 24 March 2024
Location: Holland House, in the worcestershire countryside, near Evesham. The break will include the chance to take part in a range of activities: body based movements ie. yoga/tai chi, walks, wellbeing spaces, meditation, art activities, and time to enjoy being with other carers away from the city and normal life.
Essential Criteria: You or your cared for, need to live in Birmingham, and be registered with Birmingham Carers Hub (or be willing to register – you can start that process online here) Please note – priority will be given to people who haven’t been on a break with us before, or been on a break in the last 2 years. This is to ensure that everybody can get a chance to access rest and relaxation.
To register your interest in coming on this next break, contact Sunny and the carers team at: carersbreaks14@gmail.com – Then we will confirm if you have a place, and ask for any accessibility and dietary needs.
FREE TAI CHI
NOTE: The last session of Tai Chi in 2023 will be 28 November. NO CLASS IN DECEMBER. RETURNING ON 9 JAN 2024
Every Tuesday, at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre. 11.45am-12.45pm
Tai Chi involves gentle flowing movements which help with relaxation, balance, flexibility and fitness. There are standing and sitting options suitable for all abilities. No need to book – just turn up.
If you would like to continue at home, there are some online sessions recommended by one of the carers:
Here (10 minute session with verbal instructions in English)
Here (23 minutes with written instructions on screen)
Please modify any movements that are too difficult for you.
CUBS GROUP
(Carers United Birmingham South) Carer led group
Bi weekly Tuesdays, at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre. 1:30pm-3pm
This is a group run by carers for carers. Each session involves different activities, sometimes these are practical and supportive tips for things like wellbeing or finance, to art sessions and creative skills, games. But most importantly a chance to chat, get to know other carers, and support one another in roles as carers.
Sessions will be on every other Tuesday: 26/09, 10/10, 24/10, 7/11, 21/11
We are sorry to say that our monthly Tuesday morning meetings for carers and our weekly Tuesday afternoon online meditation sessions are no longer running.
CARER PEER MENTORS
We are delighted to be able to offer a new part of the project, thanks to a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund for our Carers Wellbeing Project. The funding has allowed us to create a team of carer peer mentors, to offer support to other carers. During our experience in running Carers events over the past 15+ years, we noticed how much assistance carers were able to give to other carers, so we wanted to build on that further. The Carer Mentors have received full training and a mental health first aid qualification.
We currently have 6 Mentors in the pilot project with the hope to secure more funding in the future.