Free workshops aimed at adult carers launched across Oxfordshire

A new partnership between Carers Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire Adult Learning is set to bring health and wellbeing opportunities and workshops to thousands of adult carers in local communities across the county.

‘A Carer’s Journey’ is a series of three-hour workshops starting in February and running until mid-July. These free courses will take carers through a journey to learn new skills; understand themselves and their caring role, adapt to any significant change, and increase wellbeing and quality of life by learning strategies that will help carers to cope and manage.

Workshop themes will include yoga, first aid, aromatherapy massage, resilience and mindfulness, all of which will give carers the ability and confidence to maintain their own health when looking after a loved one and their own health and wellbeing.

“We know that 8 out of 10 carers feel their heath is affected by their caring responsibilities. We are very excited to be working closely with Oxford Adult learning and I feel sure this new initiative will be a really positive experience for carers across Oxfordshire”, said Kay Francis, Head of Carers support services Carers Oxfordshire.

“Recent research has shown 80% of carers have experienced social isolation through their caring role”, she continued. “Attending this course will give carers a chance to meet others and reduce the feeling of isolation that carers can often feel.”

Carers Oxfordshire supports adult carers who are looking after a family member, friend or neighbour who could not manage without that help. They offer advice and support for carers to enable their physical and emotional well-being, and understand that the caring experience can have a positive and lasting influence, but at the same time be very difficult and wearing.

Russell Paul, Head of Community Learning at Oxfordshire Adult Learning, said: “We are delighted to be able to work with Carers Oxfordshire on such an important project. It will open up a new learning pathway for many carers, providing them with important skills in a sociable setting, and it will give them a chance to care for themselves, something which many would have not experienced for a long time or possibly at all.

“There are signs already that it will be a popular project,” he continued, “and we’re really looking forward to working with the carers who join us over the coming months.”

To find out more, visit www.carersoxfordshire.org.uk