June 2025

Carers Week: Caring about Equality

Celebrating carers, raising awareness and building support!

As part of our Carers Week celebration, we have organised lots of activities and events. We hope the week will build on our commitment to raising awareness of the challenges faced by carers and to develop the support and respect they deserve – not just from professionals but the whole community.

Have a look at the events below and see if there is something that you’d like to try. Perhaps you’d some relaxing Yoga or a new craft? Maybe you’d like to come and see the amazing artwork created by carers and see the launch of the Carers Create Video Book.

All the event posters can be found attached to this email, or you can view our Carers Week 2025 page on our website.

If you would like more information, or to book your place at an event/activity, please call: 02392 851864 or email: carers.breaks@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

New Dementia Carers Group

Remind – supporting you through your dementia journey!

Remind are aware of the importance of support for people with dementia and their carers. Although their activity groups are not suitable for everyone with dementia, they want to provide a safe and supportive space where carers meet and discuss the issues that are important to them.

The new Dementia Carers Support Group will meet fortnightly at Portsmouth Carers Centre, on a Thursday from 1pm to 2.30pm. This group is designed specifically for carers supporting loved ones with high-level needs and behavioural changes.

For more information or to book your place, please call: 02394 217404 or email: remind@solentmind.org.uk

Your Break: Your Way

Supporting carers to get the breaks they need, in ways that work for them.  

What is the project about?

We want to understand your experiences with current carers’ breaks and respite services in Portsmouth. Whether you have used them or not, your voice matters. Our goals are to:

• Understand your views and the barriers that prevent carers from accessing breaks.

• Identify and trial new and improved break options.

• Raise awareness among carers and professionals.

• Evaluate what works and explore how successful models can be expanded.

Project Phases:

1. Listening & Learning – Talking to carers and professionals to understand current experiences, awareness, and gaps in services.

1. Designing Solutions – Developing pilot programmes based on what we learn.

1. Testing & Monitoring – Running pilot initiatives and collecting feedback.

1. Review & Report – Evaluating the impact and making recommendations for the future (March 2026).

How can you get involved?

We would love to hear from you – whether you currently use our services or not. Everyone’s situation is different, and your input is vital.

• Carers Survey – Please share your views in a short online survey: https://www.research.net/r/YourBreakYourWayEM which will be launched on Monday 9^th June for Carers Week.
• Focus Groups - Join small group discussions offered through Carer Peer Support Groups to talk about current services and ideas for improvement.

• One-to-One Conversations - If you are registered with Portsmouth Carers Service, we may contact you to hear about your personal experiences.

• Volunteer and Professionals Survey – If you are a volunteer, part of a community group, or work with carers, we would love your input too. Please take 5 minutes to complete our survey: https://www.research.net/r/CarersBreaksProEMAIL

Want to get involved or learn more?

Please contact Gina Mula at: gina.mula@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call: 02392 851864.

If you are unable to complete forms online, we can complete the survey in person or by phone.

Room One: Loved Ones Group

Are you supporting an autistic or neurodivergent adult?

 Join our friendly group to share your thoughts, feelings and recent experiences with people who understand. Gain valuable knowledge and advice from people who have lived experience.

Room One: Loved Ones Group Every other Friday, 12pm to 2pm, venue alternates between Portsmouth Carers Centre and Room One.

Please check the webpage: https://portsmouthcarersservice.co.uk/room-one/ for the latest timetable. A paper copy can be sent to you if you wish.

Alternatively you can call: 07553 607473 or email: roomone@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Energy and Money Saving Advice

SGN Outreach Project – Drop-in at Portsmouth Carers Centre

If you would energy and money saving advice, visit the SGN Outreach Project drop-in run by Citizens Advice.

Every other Thursday, 10am – 1pm, at Portsmouth Carers Centre

• Crisis support, energy and income maximisation advice.
• Tackling fuel poverty.
• Helping you know how to stay safe and warm.

Next sessions:

Get Involved: Make a Difference

Are you a relative, friend, partner or living with someone with BPD/EUPD?

Coventry university are looking for individuals to take part in a research project exploring the experiences of compassion fatigue in those supporting someone with BPD/EUPD.

They would like to hear from you if?

• You are aged 18 or over
• You are not professionally paid to care for a person with Borderline Personality Disorder/Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder
• You have been in contact with the person for at least 6 months
• You have experienced compassion fatigue for at least 3 months

What to expect?

A one-to-one interview via MS teams, lasting up to 60 minutes, at a date and time convenient to you. Anonymity and confidentiality will be strictly upheld.

What might compassion fatigue look like?

• Emotional and/or physical exhaustion
• Reduced empathy
• Increased irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling helpless
• Frequent illnesses
• Withdrawing from others

To take part or ask any questions, please email Charlotte Moore (Lead Researcher):

moorec31@coventry.ac.uk

Your insights will help improve our understanding of this experience and find ways to support families and loved ones of people living with BPD/EUPD.

Research Ethics Number: P 182911

Get Involved: Make a Difference

Personalised mobile phone messaging service for carers of people living with dementia

The University of Portsmouth and WISER Health & Social Care Ltd. are looking for individuals who have a loved one with dementia living at home. You may be a spouse, partner, family member, friend, or neighbour. If you’re interested in getting involved, we’d love to hear from you.

They are exploring how text messaging through a mobile phone, can provide emotional support for people like yourself and help navigate some of the relationship changes that dementia brings.

How much time is involved?

Taking part would involve receiving text messages up to three times a week for one month and sharing your feedback in an interview. The interview may take around an hour.

What will I receive for taking part?

The text messaging service will be free of charge. We would like to give you a £10 thank you voucher for taking part, or we can donate this to your chosen charity. We can also support with cost of care if you need to pay for a carer during the interview.

Would you like to take part in the research?

If you would like more information or to take part in the research, please contact Martha Pusey.

Email: martha.pusey@port.ac.uk  Telephone: 02392 844441.

Check Your Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Did you know the NHS and Diabetes UK have made a free online quiz called “Know Your Risk” to check your risk of Type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes means your body has trouble using sugar the right way. But the good news is that you can find out if you are at risk and take steps to stop it from developing.

After you answer the quiz, it tells you if your risk is low, medium, or high. If your risk is high, it will tell you what to do next – such as talking to your GP or eating healthier food.

You can do the quiz online on a phone, tablet, or computer. It’s private, safe and only takes a few minutes.

Visit this website to take the quiz: https://riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/start

We can support you to complete this quiz either over the phone or in person with our public access computers.

Sign up to our Newsletter