Working Together to Achieve Better Results

This week has been one of those weeks that reminded me why working with carers is such a privilege.

We held our August Carers Forum and, first of all, a huge thank you to everyone who completed the survey, attended the forum and contributed to the discussion. As usual, it was lively, thoughtful and occasionally threatened to go off on a tangent before finding its way back again. That’s forums for you.

What struck me most was something that came through again and again. Regardless of age, background, community, gender, religion or caring situation, everyone wants the same thing. We want the Carers Centre to be the very best it can be. We want it to be a place where carers feel comfortable and welcomed, where support is available when it’s needed, where information and advice are easy to access, and where wellbeing activities help people feel more connected, less isolated and perhaps even make a few lasting friendships along the way.

The discussions weren’t about individual wants and needs. They were about how we can collectively create something that works for everyone. That’s the real strength of co-production. Not simply asking people what they think, but bringing people together to help shape the future of services.

That spirit of collaboration continued later in the week when we had a fantastic meeting focused on developing the End of Life Toolkit for carers. We had carer champions, students and professionals all working together on a topic that none of us particularly want to think about, but one that many carers will inevitably face.

The conversation was honest, compassionate and incredibly practical. What impressed me most was seeing how lived experience is helping shape the toolkit. Carers are sharing the realities of what they have been through so that future carers have something useful to guide and support them during one of the most difficult stages of the caring journey. It is a powerful reminder that some of the best ideas come from people who have walked the path themselves.

And finally, I managed to achieve something that has apparently been on my “to do” list for far too long. I visited the Canary Wharf Roof Garden.

I know. What took me so long?

The garden itself is stunning, but I was particularly interested in the carers’ section. I’ve heard so many positive comments from carers over the years about the benefits of gardening, the friendships formed there and the difference it makes to wellbeing. Seeing it for myself helped me understand exactly why people speak about it so warmly.

Apparently there is also a mystery involving a missing tomato. Whether this was an opportunistic squirrel, a particularly ambitious pigeon or someone making the world’s freshest salad remains unknown. I’m sure a full investigation is underway.

Joking aside, what a fantastic project it is. Time and again, carers tell me how much the group means to them. It’s more than gardening. It’s fresh air, connection, conversation, learning new skills and having somewhere to be that isn’t defined entirely by their caring role. For many, it really is a green-fingered lifeline.

Looking back on the week, there is a common theme running through everything. Whether it’s a forum discussion, developing a toolkit or tending a roof garden, better results happen when people come together. When carers, staff, volunteers, students and professionals share their experiences, ideas and expertise, we create something stronger than any one person could achieve alone.

And hopefully, somewhere in Canary Wharf, a very satisfied squirrel is enjoying a particularly good tomato.