A Big Thank You

There are some weeks when you sit back and reflect on what makes the Carers Centre Tower Hamlets such a special place. This has been one of those weeks.

First and foremost, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who attended our recent Carers Forum. The turnout was fantastic, but even more impressive was the level of engagement, honesty, passion and ideas that carers brought into the room. It was one of those events where the energy stayed with you long after everyone had gone home.

The feedback we received was genuinely inspiring. Carers shared ideas about activities they would like to see, ways to improve communication, opportunities for peer support, and how we might make our services even more welcoming and accessible. It reminded me why co-production matters so much. The best ideas often come directly from those with lived experience.

Now comes the important part—what do we do with all these brilliant suggestions?

Our commitment is to take as many of these ideas forward as possible. At the same time, we need to balance ambition with reality. Funding requirements, grant conditions and available resources mean we cannot always do everything immediately. However, that does not mean your ideas disappear into a drawer. We will carefully review every suggestion, look at what is achievable, and explore how we can incorporate your feedback into future planning.

One discussion that particularly resonated with me was around inclusivity. Our activities should feel relevant and welcoming to all carers, regardless of age, culture, background, faith, caring role or life experience. But that raises some important questions.

How do we encourage carers from communities that are currently underrepresented to attend? How do we ensure someone walking into a group for the first time feels valued rather than like an outsider? How do we develop activities that genuinely reflect the diversity of carers across Tower Hamlets?

These are not always easy questions to answer, but they are the right questions to ask.

We also talked about working carers. Many carers spend their day juggling employment alongside caring responsibilities, often leaving little energy or time for themselves. Are daytime sessions excluding people who would benefit most? Would evening activities work better? Are there different ways we can engage those carers who simply cannot attend during traditional hours? These are conversations we need to continue.

Communication was another theme that emerged strongly. Carers have different needs, interests and circumstances. Rather than everyone receiving exactly the same information, could we tailor communications more effectively? Could carers who enjoy creative activities receive updates relevant to those opportunities? Could working carers receive information on activities designed specifically around their schedules? Sometimes it’s not about saying more—it’s about making sure the right information reaches the right people at the right time.

Another wonderful suggestion was around former carers becoming befrienders and mentors for those who are newly registered. What a powerful idea. The caring journey can feel overwhelming, especially at the beginning. Having someone who understands the system, knows what support is available, and can simply say, “I’ve been where you are,” could make an enormous difference. Peer support has always been one of the greatest strengths within the carers community.

There was also discussion about ensuring carers hear about the Wellbeing Academy much earlier in their journey. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if someone completing a Carer’s Needs Assessment immediately knew about the opportunities available to support their wellbeing, confidence and resilience? It’s something we’ll be exploring with partners because we know early intervention can make such a positive difference.

The good news is that this conversation doesn’t stop here. We will be bringing the findings, feedback and initial responses to the next Carers Forum on 19 August, where we can continue the discussion and update everyone on our progress. This is your forum, your voice and your opportunity to help shape what happens next.

Now, let’s talk about something we can probably all agree on—this heat!

I don’t know about you, but I seem to have reached that stage where simply walking from one room to another feels like an endurance event. Caring is demanding at the best of times, but extreme heat can make everyday tasks feel significantly harder.

Does the heat affect your caring role? Do you find yourself becoming more tired? Is your energy disappearing faster than your ice cubes? Are the people you care for feeling the effects too? Sometimes we focus so much on the practical aspects of caring that we forget just how much weather conditions can impact our wellbeing and resilience.

Please remember to stay hydrated, take breaks where possible and be kind to yourself. Caring is a marathon, not a sprint, and nobody wins awards for struggling on without support.

Finally, I’d like to share a personal reflection from this week.

I attended the funeral of my best friend’s father. Funerals are never easy, but this one brought an unexpected emotional challenge. The service took place at the same crematorium where both my mum’s and dad’s funerals were held.

I wasn’t prepared for the wave of memories that hit me as soon as I arrived.

It’s funny how places can hold emotions long after we’ve left them behind. One moment you’re focused on supporting a friend through their grief, and the next you’re reconnecting with your own.

It was a reminder that grief never fully leaves us. It changes shape over time. Some days it sits quietly in the background. Other days, when you least expect it, it taps you on the shoulder and reminds you it’s still there.

The experience also reminded me of something I see regularly among carers: many of us carry much more than other people realise. We support others, manage responsibilities, keep going and get things done. Yet underneath, we all have moments when memories, emotions and life experiences catch us off guard.

And that’s okay.

It’s okay to have good days and difficult days. It’s okay to laugh one moment and feel emotional the next. It’s okay to ask for help.

Most importantly, it’s okay to remember that you don’t have to do it all alone.

Thank you again to everyone who attended the Carers Forum, shared their ideas and helped make it such a success. Your voices matter, your experiences matter, and together we can continue building a Wellbeing Academy and carer community that reflects the needs and aspirations of carers across Tower Hamlets.

Until next week, stay cool, take care of yourselves, and as always, keep talking to us.

Tony