Carers Active April is our campaign month supporting unpaid carers to be physically active, and raising awareness of the the benefits of physical activity for carers and the barriers they may face.

The month will raise awareness about the importance of physical activity and provide lots of opportunities for carers to be active. You’ll be supported and encouraged to take part in any activity that works for you, whether that's walking, jogging, yoga or simple exercises around your home and garden. By signing up to Carers Active April today you’ll receive:

• Weekly online physical activity sessions throughout April.
• The opportunity to take part in our mass walking event, 'We Move More', on 11 April.
• An invitation to our free virtual Healthathon event on 26 April.
• Helpful ideas, tips and links during the month.

Each week will be themed, making sure we cover a range of activity ideas, and can bring varied advice and information to those who really need flexibility within their routine. The weeks are themed as follows:

• Week one: Active living with a long term health condition
• Week two: Embracing the outdoors
• Week three: Movement and mental wellbeing
• Week four: Sport and leisure clubs in your area

 

Sign up for Carers Active April

What's happening during Carers Active April 2024?

Throughout April:

Better discount and welcome days for carers:

Better is the largest UK-based charitable social enterprise delivering leisure, health and community services. They operate over 240 public sport and leisure facilities, and their purpose is to improve the physical, mental and social wellbeing of local communities.

https://www.better.org.uk/news/better-partners-with-carers-uk-for-active-april

During April, Carers UK members can access a special half price gym membership rate of £30 per month. Here's how you can access the offer:

When joining online, Carers UK members must upload a screenshot of the Carers UK email and membership number in order to receive the offer. Members of Carers UK who wish to purchase their membership in a Better centre must print put the email and present it to a member of staff. They can also upload proof that they are in receipt of carer's allowance.

Better Islington

Free taster activities will be running in selected Better centres in Islington. A member of staff on hand during the welcome days to give centre tours and answer any questions you may have. This includes:

Monday 15 April – Free swimming at Archway Leisure Centre 7pm-9pm

Tuesday 16 April – Free swimming at Archway Leisure Centre 6.40am-10am

Thursday 18 April – Free social sports 10.30am-1pm & Zumba Basics at Sobell Leisure Centre 11.30am-12.30pm

Friday 19 April – Free Aqua Aerobics 12-1pm & Free Swimming 3-6pm at Cally Pool & Gym

For more information on the welcome days and to book, please contact Mikael.Kiviniemi@gll.org

 

Better Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham and Ealing

Free Swimming for carers

Free Tennis for carers

For more information contact Ben Lett - ben.lett@gll.org

 

Better – St Austell Leisure Centre

During April the centre will be hosting welcome days for unpaid carers. For more information contact Steven Latham - Steven.Latham@GLL.ORG

 

Better Vale of White Horse

Free swimming taster with staff on hand to answer any questions about memberships or the facility. For more information visit: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/vale-of-white-horse/white-horse-leisure-and-tennis-centre/news/better-partners-with-carers-uk-for-active-april-2024-03-26-13-21-00-0000

Or contact Kate Mulrey - kate.mulrey@gll.org

We Move More Walk, Southwark (London) 

11^th April, 2-4pm.  

Carers UK is leading a leisurely walk around historic landmarks of Southwark followed by a drink in a cafe. All welcome. The meeting point for the walk is outside the Carers UK office (20 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4LX) 

If you have any queries contact: membership@carersuk.org

 

We Move More Walk, Settle (Yorkshire) 

11^th April. A walk around Settle led by local volunteer Rachel Hill.  

12pm meet at Victoria Hall, Settle.  For more information contact: shaunandrachel@hotmail.com  

Let’s Move Lincolnshire

Let’s Move Lincolnshire Carers Active April events and activities - https://letsmovelincolnshire.com/carersactiveapril/

 

Carers Stepping Out walks

17 April - Stepping Out Hertfordshire: Two walks (including one accessible for people with mobility issues) at Enfield’s Trent Park, North London countryside that was once a Royal Hunting Forest.

17 April - Stepping Out Doncaster: Two walks at Nostell Priory for Doncaster Carers Centre, supported by the Doncaster Ramblers.

29 April - Stepping Out Kent: Two walks and a tour of Great Dixter in Northiam, E Sussex - historic house, a garden, a centre of education, and a place of pilgrimage for horticulturists from across the world.

Booking on the walks is a requirement. To book on and get full details, please email: hallosteppingout@gmail.com

 

Boccia club, North Wales

New boccia club started in Queensferry, North Wales. Boccia is a sport for everyone. Carers welcome and can play with the person they care for. For more info contact Gil Stafford: gill.stafford@talk21.com

 

Dance Free CIC, Lincolnshire

We are running 4 Dance Free in Nature events in April which offer free spaces for carers. These are free-movement dance sessions using silent disco headsets in natural locations (beach and parks):

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/834609749227?aff=oddtdtcreator

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/840665562327?aff=oddtdtcreator

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/834627863407?aff=oddtdtcreator

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/834633570477?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

Everyone Active carer discount and free day pass for carers

With more than 230 leisure facilities across the country, Everyone Active aims to support everyone to be physically active regardless of age, ability or background: "For Carers Active April, we are supporting carers to get active. We offer a range of fitness, activity and health and wellbeing programmes, including works at and from our facilities which carers can attend."

Find out more about your local classes and our concessionary membership rates at your local Everyone Active centre. Click here to find out more.

FREE day pass

If you find it difficult to get away from your caring role, why not try to find an activity you can enjoy with the person you care for with a free day at your local Everyone Active centre here. You can accompany the person you care for at no extra charge at our specialist classes and activities, which include an opportunity to socialise and a refreshment with other carers at our community cafes at the end of the sessions.

If you feel more comfortable getting active from home, why not try the Everyone on Demand app, which can help with home workouts.

 

Everyone Active Sunderland

At the Sunderland Everyone Active leisure centres there are free swim sessions to all registered carers through Sunderland Carers Centre in Sunderland.

Find your nearest venue: https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/

 

Everyone Active West Midlands

Across our West Midlands centres we will be running physical activity session(s), and offering a free or subsidised service or product to carers

We operate the following sessions weekly in centre at Stratford Leisure Centre:  

• Tuesday 10am- Walking Netball  
• Tuesday 11:30am- Badminton and Table Tennis 
• Tuesday 1:30pm- Walking Tennis 
• Thursday- 11am- Badminton and Table Tennis 
• Friday 2pm-No Strings Badminton 
   

The Greig have: 

• Wednesday 11am- Walking Football 
• Thursday 11am- Badminton and Table Tennis  
• Thursday 2pm- No Strings Badminton  
• Friday 4pm- Walking Football 

 

Southam Leisure Centre have: 

• Monday 12:15pm- Good Boost Land  
• Wednesday 11:30am- Short Mat Bowls  
• Thursday 9am- Good Boost Aqua  
• Friday 12pm- Good Boost Land  

 

Out in the community we operate the following: 

• Tuesday 10am- Harbury Village Hall, Seated Exercise Class 
• Wednesday 11am- Ettington Village Hall , Seated Exercise Class 
• Wednesday 2pm- Graham Adams Centre Southam, Seated Exercise Class 
• Thursday 10am- Temple Grafton Village Hall, Seated Exercise Class  
• Friday 2:30pm- Ken Kennett Centre, Stratford upon Avon, Seated Exercise Class. 

 

For more information, contact Amy Widman - Amywidman@everyoneactive.com  

Find your nearest venue: https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/  

 

Gloucestershire Carers Hub

During April Gloucestershire Carers Hub are running physical activity session(s), offering a free or subsidised service or product to carers, and organising presentations from guest speakers.

For more information email: bookings@peopleplus.co.uk

 

Carers Support Centre, Bristol

We are organising a 'walk & talk' group for carers and, one of the sessions will be for We Move More on 11 April.

More information about the 'walk & talk' sessions in April can be found in our website https://www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk/our-services/welcome-to-walk-and-talk/

 

Carers Link, East Dunbartonshire

Weekly Dance & Movement class (each Tuesday morning)

Weekly online Dru Yoga Session. (each Tuesday afternoon).

For more information contact Rose Barr - rose@carerslink.org.uk

Enfield Carers Centre 

Chair Exercise and Relaxation Sessions - Mondays 10am-11am 

https://enfieldcarers.org/event/exercise-and-relaxation-sessions-15/  

For young carers, on Fridays, we have our online Kindness Club sessions, where we do yoga and exercises which can be done with limited space available at home. These sessions are communal and start with a chat session so they feel less alone and can make new friends, whilst also keeping active. 

For more information contact Carla Brain - ycmanager@enfieldcarers.org  

Derbyshire Carers

During April we have our regular exercise, yoga and meditation groups along with a walk in Erewash to celebrate Erewash walking week.

Details of all events can be found here: https://derbyshirecarers.co.uk/whats-on

Swindon Carers Centre 

We are offering a Walk & talk event, bowls sessions and a Line Dancing evening. 

https://www.swindoncarers.org.uk/groups-and-activities-for-carers-over-18/ 

If any carers in Swindon are interested, please contact Heather Goldsmith - heather.goldsmith@swindoncarers.org.uk  

Week one 

Warrington Carers Hub (Young Carers)

Warrington Carers Hub (Young Carers) is kicking off Carers Active April with an especially energetic addition to their regular Drop-In session on Tuesday 2 April, 5-7pm. Our special guest, Boxing and Self-Defense Coach, will be teaching us some skills to help keep us all fit and safe!

Come and join us for an hour of high energy and lots of fun! Loose, comfortable clothing and a sense of adventure is all you need!

For more information contact Anna Zammit - anna.zammit@warringtoncarershub.org.uk

 

Golf in Society (Sheffield)

Golf in Society are running a Golf session for carers at Hillsborough Golf Club on Tuesday 2 April running at 11am-1pm.

For more information contact Charles Jardine - jrdcharl@aol.com

 

Carers Bedfordshire

Wednesday 3 April - Carers Walk in Leighton Buzzard

Meeting on Wednesday 3 April at Tesco car park at 1pm for a canal walk, fresh air and chat.

Carers and former carers welcome to join this friendly group.

For more info contact Sue Litchfield - sue.litchfield@carersinbeds.org.uk

 

Signpost Stockport for Carers

April 5, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Carers Active April: Walk and Talk for bereaved carers

Etherow Country Park George Street, Compstall, United Kingdom

https://signpostforcarers.org.uk/signpost-event/walk-and-talk-for-bereaved-carers-8/

Week two

Carers Northumberland

Active April Walk - Northumberlandia – 9 April, 11am-12pm

Carers Northumberland are planning a series of walks for Carers Active April, everyone welcome. Full details available on their website: https://carersnorthumberland.org.uk/news-and-events

 

Gloucestershire Carers Hub

We Move More walk – 11 April. Meeting at Mariner's Church, Gloucester Docks at 10.30am. All are welcome to join.

 

We Move More Walk, Liverpool 

11th April A walk led by local volunteer Kristie Johnson 

1pm meet at the World Museum. The walk will last one hour. For more information contact krystie1uk@yahoo.co.uk  

 

Carers Support Centre, Bristol 

'Walk & talk' group session on Thursday 11th April from 11.00 to 12.30 pm in Chipping Sodbury. If you would like to book a place or get more information, please contact us on walk@carerssupportcentre.org.uk or call us on 07742 291 073 

 

Crossroads Caring for Life, Hertfordshire

13 April - taking part in Health Action Day Healthy Hub Stevenage, encouraging carers to be active in different ways with stall, activities, health checks and more.

https://www.facebook.com/healthyhubstevenage/

 

Week three

Newquay Leisure World

Monday 15 April – Welcome Session. Includes tour of facility and Back to Basic Class

For more information contact Thomas Mee - Thomas.Mee@GLL.ORG

Better Yorkshire and Humberside 

We will be running an Open Swim session on: 

15th April from 2.40pm - 5.20pm at Yearsley Swimming Pool. 

https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/york/news/gll-supports-carers-uk-s-active-april-with-dedicated-membership-offer-2024-03-27-13-35-00-0000 

 

Carers Northumberland

Active April Walk – Hauxley Nature Reserve – 16 April, 1-2pm

Carers Northumberland are planning a series of walks for Carers Active April, everyone welcome. Full details available on their website: https://carersnorthumberland.org.uk/news-and-events

https://carersnorthumberland.org.uk/news-and-events

 

Worcester Association of Carers 

We have a walk planned for carers on the 17th April. Here is a link to the booking site: https://www.carersworcs.org.uk/Event/wellbeing-walk-and-coffee-wyre-forest-17apr  

Better Barnet

On 17 April from 11am, Better Barnet are going to host a 'welcome' day at Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre, with a range of activities available to carers in the borough.

For more information, please visit this page: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/barnet/news/barnet-half-term or contact Petrit Krasniqi - petrit.krasniqi@gll.org

 

Sunderland Carers Centre

Sunderland Carers Centre are having a walk for Carers on Thursday 18 April at 10.30. Meeting place to be arranged. The walk will last for approx. 40 minutes and will be suitable for all carers. We will end the walk with refreshments. For more information contact Julie Terris - julie@sunderlandcarers.co.uk

Islington Carers Hub 

Carers Get Together walk 

Saturday 20 April, 10.30am. Meet outside Pret A Manger, Station Place, near Finsbury Park station 

Walk the disused railway line to Highgate, meandering through Queens Woods and Highgate Woods, ending at a nearby cafe. A great way to get to know other local carers!  

https://islingtoncarershub.org/lets-talk-carers/  

For more information contact: info@islingtoncarershub.org  

Week four

Carers Link Lancashire

On 23 April Carers Link Lancashire have a walk for carers in partnership with Ramblers in Rossendale

https://www.carerslinklancashire.co.uk/

 

Carers Northumberland

Active April Walk – Berwick Town Walls – 23 April, 2-3pm  

Carers Northumberland are planning a series of walks for Carers Active April, everyone welcome. Full details available on their website: https://carersnorthumberland.org.uk/news-and-events

https://carersnorthumberland.org.uk/news-and-events

 

Better Yorkshire and Humberside 

We will be running an Open Swim session on: 

24th April from 11.15am - 2pm at Energise Leisure Centre. 

https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/york/news/gll-supports-carers-uk-s-active-april-with-dedicated-membership-offer-2024-03-27-13-35-00-0000  

Carers Leeds

We have our regular walk and talk on 25 April, 11-12.30pm, which is open to all adult carers living in Leeds. Booking essential.

https://www.carersleeds.org.uk/event/walk-and-talk-4-2-2/

Week five 

Carers Northumberland  

‘Active April Walk – Wylam and Ovingham Circular Walk’ – 30th April, 10-11am    

Carers Northumberland are planning a series of walks for Carers Active April, everyone welcome. Full details available on their website: https://carersnorthumberland.org.uk/news-and-events 

https://carersnorthumberland.org.uk/news-and-events  

 

Carers Support Service, North and North East Lincolnshire 

Fitness Session –25th April, 10am-11am at CrosbyONE, Digby Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 7LU 

To book your place call 01652 650585 

Carers Support Service, North and North East Lincolnshire 

Tai Chi Session – 26th April, 10am-11am at Carers Support Service, 11 Redcombe Lane, Brigg, DN20 8AU 

To book your place call 01652 650585 

“About two years ago I discovered Carers Active, which gave me the motivation I needed to get back into regular activity.

To fellow carers, I'd emphasise the importance of acknowledging one's own needs and taking small steps toward being active. The first steps can feel hard, but being active really can make you feel a lot better.” 

 - Carers Active 2023 participant

Read the State of Caring 2023 physical health report