Coronavirus (COVID-19) and North Tyneside Carers’ Centre
Monday 15^th June 2020

Last week was national Carers Week and our plans had to change dramatically as a result of Covid-19.

The theme was ‘Making Carers More Visible’ and we worked with Carers’ Centres across the county to raise the profile of carers and highlight the impact of caring in lockdown. We took over our local partners’ social media accounts and nationally the Queen and her daughter Princess Anne joined a group of carers for the Queen’s first ever official video conference call: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-53010188

We delivered a range of remote activities throughout the week to provide carers with a little relief and fun, after what has been an incredibly difficult 12 weeks. Sessions included: an art class (introduction to using oil pastels); a round the world tour; wellbeing sessions; virtual afternoon team; a family quiz and a young carers festival to end the week.

Morrisons Tynemouth kindly donated 120 afternoon teas, which the team delivered to young and adult carers across the borough. We want to give a big shout out to Gaynor from Morrisons who spent hours preparing these so we could care about carers at our virtual afternoon tea. Thank you too to the Blue Button Cafe in Whitley Bay for supporting us with additional teas.

We hosted daily support groups so carers could connect during lockdown and share experiences, good and bad. Throughout the week we spoke to carers about what they have struggled with most, how it has impacted on their wellbeing and what their fears are coming out of the pandemic. This information will be shared with local and national decision makers to help shape support which carers will need coming out of Covid-19.

We also delivered daily carer awareness sessions for professionals and specific sessions about caring during Covid-19 – to highlight to professionals the challenges carers have faced on a daily basis. Thank you to the professionals who attended, we look forward to working with you in the future.

Despite being in the midst of a pandemic, Carers Week was a success. I want to thank the team of staff and volunteers for their commitment and flexibility to make Carers Week a success and lastly, but most importantly, thank you to carers for everything you do. You really have been a hidden army working through the pandemic and absolutely deserve to be recognised for your role in keeping the person you care for safe.

Please pick up the phone and call us on 0191 643 2298 or access Live Chat on our website, if you would like information and advice or are having a bad day. Our staff are here to help you.

Stay safe and stay well.

Claire Easton
Chief Executive