MeTime sessions for carers
Our MeTime online sessions are designed to inform you of your rights and to support your wellbeing.
Sessions vary from practical advice on carers' rights and caring to a set of holistic wellbeing sessions that range from confidence-building to creative opportunities like crafting.
Sessions are open to anyone across the UK.
Please be aware these sessions are run by Carers Wales and information sessions are based on Welsh legislation.
Below you will find details of the sessions coming up. To sign up, click the link and fill out a short registration form. We look forward to welcoming you to our friendly and supportive sessions!
February
Wednesday 12 February, 12.30-1.30pm: Mental resilience and wellbeing for carers
In this session we are joined by Kerry Seymour from Inspired To Change and will look at:
- What is meant by resilience and wellbeing?
- The impact of stress
- How stress is created in the brain
- Tools and techniques to reduce stress and boost resilience.
Tuesday 18 February, 11am-12pm: Wellbeing in nature
Dawn Parker, a horticultural therapy practitioner and project development officer, works within a community garden and woodland in Pontypridd, South Wales. She will discuss how gardening and nature can serve as therapeutic interventions to enhance physical and mental well-being.
Some of the benefits of therapeutic horticulture include:
- Stress and pain reduction
- Improved mood
- Increased physical activity
- A sense of connection to nature
- Fostering independence and self-esteem
Discover how to use indoor gardening, along with nature-inspired crafts and connections to achieve your own wellbeing goals.
Wednesday 19 February, 11am-12pm: Collage Art
In this online session, we are joined by artist Lucilla to learn more about designing and creating your own collage art. Blank postcards will be posted to you in advance. Completed postcards to be posted to Carers Wales (further info will be provided).
This session is for beginners and those with previous experience of collage art. Spaces are unlimited.
Please start collecting images ahead of the session ready to glue to your postcard. Some places you may be able to obtain images include:
- Your local libraries may have old photography magazines
- charity shops may have old photography magazines
- Junk mail
- Art gallery cards
- Neighbours giving away magazines via your local social media sites or neighbourhood Whatsapp groups.
This is an informal session, we look forward to seeing you!
March
Monday 3 March, 2-3pm: Book Club
Come along to our informal and relaxed Book Club session! The session is a chance for carers to get together and take some time for themselves, have a chat with like-minded people and share the escapism of getting lost in a good book. If it is your first session, just bring your favourite book, we'd love to hear a bit about why it's your favourite.
Wednesday 5 March, 12-2pm: Self Advocacy session for unpaid carers
This session will look at key tips and strategies that can support you to get your voice heard when dealing with services, organisations or people involved with you or the person you care for.
We'll cover topics including:
• Your rights as carers
• Ways to communicate more effectively
• Preparing for meetings
• Dealing with emotions that inhibit self expression
• The importance of self-awareness
Wednesday 12 March, 11am-12pm: Welsh Water Dwr Cymru
Are you a carer or being cared for by someone? Did you know that you may be eligible for a cheaper water bill, and other free support services from Welsh Water. Join Jody on the call to learn something new, and get the help that you may be missing out on.
Wednesday 19 March, 11am-12pm Carers Rights
Join our Information & Advice Officer Nia to explore carers rights in Wales and what you can do to secure your rights.
Thursday 20 March, 1-2pm: Watercolour Paints Workshop
Relax with this gentle watercolour painting session. Learn and practice watercolour techniques guided by Lucilla. Get your ideas onto paper and find some headspace to feel creative in this watercolour workshop and add your art onto your own postcard. We’ll send you materials and a blank postcard to decorate. This is an informal session, we look forward to seeing you!
April
Tuesday 1 April, 2-3pm: Mindfulness session
Join us for a friendly mindfulness based session for anyone with caring responsibilities - no experience needed. Mindfulness can help us cope with tricky situations in ourselves and others, develop our relationships, enhance our lives with gratitude, compassion, kindness, appreciation, and make better decisions. Let's explore the possibilities together.
Monday 7 April, 1-2pm: Balancing work and care? What you need to know
Do you balance paid employment and unpaid care? Find out about your rights including the Carer's Leave Act and what support you can request from your workplace.
Tuesday 8 April, 11-12pm: Self Employment with Social Firms Wales
Meet staff from Social Firms Wales who will explore ideas for self-employment opportunities that could potentially be developed alongside your caring responsibilities. Learn about how Self-Employment can bring in an extra income whilst boosting your sense of identity, confidence and skills.
Social Firms Wales will also give you the basics on the steps you need to take to become self-employed, the key things to consider and some of the pro’s and con’s of being your own boss.
The session will be delivered by Jan Barwell, Enterprise Development Advisor at Social Firms Wales.
Wednesday 9 April, 1.30-2.30pm: Neurographic art workshop
Have a go at neurographic art with Rowenna of Wild Art Wales. Neurographic art is a form of creation that recreates the outer from the inner using lines, shapes and colour in a mindful state. You will need paper, a black pen, a variety of lids and some colouring materials, ideally pencils but watercolours will do.
Rowenna is an arts in health practitioner with over 20 years experience in leading creative workshops for individuals of all ages and abilities to engage with their environment and improve their wellbeing. Join us in these relaxed online workshops, have a chat or sit back and enjoy getting crafty. We’ll send you a blank postcard to decorate. This is an informal session, we look forward to seeing you!
Monday 28 April, 1pm-2pm: Warm Wales - Healthy Homes and Healthy People
Warm Wales are committed to Healthy Homes and Healthy People. Join this session to find out how carers in Wales can have Warmer, Safer, Healthier Homes. Warm Wales aims to tackle fuel poverty, reduce avoidable health inequalities, and improve well -being. They have an easy-to-use self-referral system and a friendly and supportive team ready to offer help and advice.
Wednesday 30 April, 11am-12pm: Fine liner drawing workshop
Have a go at creating art with fine-liner pens, try out professional drawing techniques used by artists with Lucilla and work on creating your own artwork on a postcard. Learn how to create depth and shading with just black and white. Join us in these relaxed online workshops, have a chat or sit back and enjoy getting crafty. We’ll send you materials and a blank postcard to decorate. This is an informal session, we look forward to seeing you!
May
Thursday 8 May, 1.30- 2.30pm: Tangles art workshop
Have a go at Tangles art with Rowenna of Wild Art Wales. Tangles is an art technique that offers a space to be peaceful and mindful. In this session, you will learn how to create the crescent moon tangle which gives you a foundation to then go on to use the observations of your surroundings to inspire your patterns. You will need paper and a pencil or pen.
Rowenna is an arts in health practitioner with over 20 years experience in leading creative workshops for individuals of all ages and abilities to engage with their environment and improve their wellbeing.
Join us in these relaxed online workshops, have a chat or sit back and enjoy getting crafty. We’ll send you a blank postcard to decorate. This is an informal session, we look forward to seeing you!
Monday 19 May, 11am-12pm: Wellbeing for unpaid carers - simple tips to lift your mood
Join us to enhance your wellbeing! Nia Constant, our Information and Advice Officer, will share helpful tips on how to boost your positivity and take care of yourself as an unpaid carer.