Carers UK is marking National Tea Day on 21 April by holding its latest virtual ‘Care for a Cuppa’ event, of which over 350 have been held since the start of the pandemic.
Carers UK research reveals that 72% of carers have not been able to take a break during the pandemic, and the virtual Care for a Cuppa meet-ups has provided a vital opportunity for them to connect and share their experiences with peers, from the safety and comfort of their homes. Care for a Cuppa meet-ups form part of a programme of online events that Carers UK hosts which provide peer support and advice to people caring, unpaid, for their older, ill, or disabled relatives or friends.
A Carers UK survey revealed that 91% of attendees stated that they felt better for attending Care for a Cuppa events, with 72% stating that they participated in order to hear other carers talk about their experiences.
To mark National Tea Day, Carers UK is holding an event at 7pm, specifically timed to enable carers who are juggling unpaid care with paid work to attend.
Carers can sign up to attend the Care for a Cuppa here.
Della, a carer from the North West of England, said:
“Many thanks for all the extra things you have scheduled during lockdown. It’s helped me feel a lot less isolated.”
Aaron Dryden, Director of Carers Support, Carers UK, said:
“We’re so proud that we have been able to help 2,000 carers connect through Care for a Cuppa since the start of the pandemic. We know that caring can be very isolating, and that was hugely exacerbated by the pandemic; many carers have been shielding for extended periods of time with support services reduced or removed. The Care for a Cuppa programme provides a vital lifeline for carers to relax and connect with others who understand the experience of being an unpaid carer.”
Carers UK is continuing to run further events and activities to help connect carers and reduce loneliness and isolation.
During Carers Week 2022, running between Monday 6th and Sunday 12th June 2022, the organisation is spearheading a national push to help identify carers and connect them to support under the theme ‘Making caring, Visible, Valued and Supported.’
Organisations and individuals inspired by National Tea Day and wanting to continue to make a difference for unpaid carers can find out more here.