Carers Week is always a special time of year but this one felt extra meaningful. Across the East of England, we came together to celebrate the incredible contributions of unpaid carers who give so much of themselves every single day. It was a week filled with shared laughter, meaningful conversations, support, and some much-deserved joy. Here’s a look back at the highlights!
4 June
We kicked off Carers Week early with a heartwarming breakfast gathering in Wisbech. Parent carers of neurodiverse children (diagnosed and undiagnosed) came together to share a meal, stories, and solidarity. We were delighted to help fund this special morning for the local peer support group, who meet weekly at a local café. The presence of the Mayor of Wisbech and members of Wisbech Rotary added an extra sense of community pride.
9 June
Monday was a busy, brilliant day and a real kickstart to the week! Our team attended an event for unpaid carers hosted by Care for Carers, a fantastic networking opportunity with a wide range of stalls, support, and information. It was lovely to connect with carers and professionals alike and share how we can support them.
10 June
Back at our Huntingdon Hub, nine carers joined us for a friendly, hands-on first aid session led by the British Red Cross. With nibbles, good company, and practical learning, the session struck the perfect balance of celebration and skill-building. Some carers hadn’t refreshed their first aid in over 20 years, so the session was truly valuable to all who attended.
Meanwhile, in St Ives, our amazing volunteers met with local unpaid carers at the welcoming Ivo Lounge. Thanks to their generosity, carers enjoyed free hot drinks and a relaxed atmosphere where they could chat about available support and take a well-earned break.
11 June
Today was a very busy day for the team! 21 carers spent the day surrounded by nature’s beauty at Anglesey Abbey. Exploring the gardens and house was made even more special by a guided tour that left everyone in awe of the history. One carer shared, “I had a magical time at Anglesey Abbey. You organised the event so well and the group of people were so pleasant. It was a treat, thank you lots!”
We also visited a bake sale at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) which sparked meaningful conversations about carers’ needs.
And in a fantastic feat of endurance and fundraising, Ivo Lounge’s Head Chef Kieron and General Manager Sophie kayaked from St Neots to St Ives to raise money for our work. After seven hours and plenty of sore muscles, they made it! A huge thank you to them and everyone who cheered them on!
Our team also attended Hinchingbrooke Hospitals’ awareness event and met lots of local unpaid carers.
12 June
At our Great Shelford Hub, the week culminated in a joyful celebratory lunch. The room buzzed with conversation as carers connected, shared experiences, and made new friends over plates of delicious food. We were also joined by Sue from Healthy You, Fauzia (Occupational Therapist at Cambridgeshire County Council), and Denise from Barley Manor Care Home. A couple of lovely comments from carers summed up the mood, “This is a real treat! Thank you so much, I have thoroughly enjoyed this.” And “Wow, we weren’t expecting this. I’m so pleased I made it today – the food was lovely!”
Young carers took a well-deserved break
Throughout the week, we brought creativity and fun to young carers in schools under this year’s theme: ‘Take a Break’. These remarkable young carers asked for something fun, different, and food-focused, and we delivered! They took part in pizza making, cake decorating, and a beautiful mindfulness fish-making craft session. These activities gave young carers a chance to breathe, be creative, and just enjoy being kids. Watching them relax and laugh reminded us all why this work matters so much.
To every carer who joined us, and every volunteer, partner, and organisation who helped make this week happen, thank you. Your kindness, energy, and support lifted hearts and reminded everyone: carers are never alone.
