Carers Groups and Workshops

The groups and workshops listed below are open to all carers registered with the Carers in Mind service. They all take place online via video conferencing software, Zoom, unless otherwise stated.

If you would like to join a group or workshop and are not currently registered, please complete our Carers Registration Form and return it to [email protected]

Please email [email protected] to sign up for any of the events below, unless other contact details are given.
 

Peer Support Groups

We run four support groups per month for people supporting a loved one with their mental health. The groups are an opportunity to meet other people in a similar position and share your experiences. 
 
Twickenham Group – Second Monday of month: 6.30-8.30pm
Usually based in Twickenham, for all carers. To book, contact Kathleen on 07801 200450 or [email protected]
 
Partners  Group – Second Wednesday of month: 6.30-8pm 
This group is for people caring for their partner. To book, contact Gary on 07502 300978 or [email protected]

Daytime Group – Third Monday of month: 10.30am-12pm 
Support group during the day for all carers. To book, contact Clare on 07849 090436 or [email protected]

East Sheen Group – Third Wednesday of month: 7-9pm
This is our longest running group, established in 1994. Currently unavailable – check with us for details.

Workshops for Parents of under-18s

Three workshops designed for parents whose children or teens are struggling with their mental health. You can attend any of the workshops, or all three.

We are running two dates for each workshop as follows: 

Workshop 1 – Navigating Children’s Services (Mental Health)  
Learn about the services in the borough supporting your child or adolescent’s mental health and wellbeing. 

Thursday, 21 January, 10am-12pm. Register here.
Tuesday, 16 February, 7-9pm. Register here.

Workshop 2 – Managing Challenging Behaviour  
Learn how to respond to challenging behaviour arising from mental health difficulties, and improve communication with your child or teen. 

Wednesday, 27 January, 10am-12pm. Register here.
Thursday, 25 February, 7-9pm. Register here.

Workshop 3 – Recovery and Wellbeing 
Recovery is not a solo or linear journey, it’s a family process. Learn how to safeguard your own wellbeing through the ups and downs.

Thursday, 4 February, 10am-12pm. Register here.
Wednesday, 3 March, 7-9pm. Register here.

*New Support Groups for Parents of under-18s*

We are also hosting four new support sessions for parent carers in February and March. Lead by Marie McCormack, assisted by Kathleen Boisseau and the team. If you are supporting a child or teen with mental health difficulties, these groups are for you.

We may not be able to run these again, so make sure you join us while they are available.

Group 1 Tuesday, 9 February, 10.30am-12pm

Group 2 Wednesday, 24 February, 7.30-9pm

Group 3 Thursday, 11 March, 1-2.30pm

Group 4 Tuesday, 23 March, 7-8.30pm

Please book onto these sessions with Clare: [email protected] / 07849 090436

Learning Elevenses 

Join us and a special guest for an informative cuppa.   

Thursday, 28 January, 11am-12pm 
Meet Robert Smeath, Family Lawyer and Partner at New Quadrant for a presentation on Power of Attorney, Wills and Trusts. 

Friday, 26 February, 11am-12pm
Carers Champions Q&A – Adult Social Care. Put your questions to the carers champions – staff who represent carers within their teams in adult social care.

Date and time in March TBC
Covid-19 Financial Support, Citizens Advice Richmond.

Carers Collaborative: Meet the Community Mental Health Teams 

This is the second in a new series of joint quarterly meetings between Richmond Recovery and Support Team and Carers in Mind.  

Wednesday, 27 January: 6-7pm 

Walk and Talk Group

The aim of this group is to connect with other carers and get some emotional support, whilst being out in nature and doing some gentle walking. We have limited availability due to the rule of 6. Staff and volunteers are running these groups so that we can have multiple groups of 6 for each date if needed.

We also ask you to wear a mask during the group and more guidance will be sent to those who register to attend. These groups are currently subject to government guidance and if there are any changes we will keep you all updated. To sign up please email [email protected] or respond to the text reminder which will be sent closer to the time.

Tuesday, 26 January, 2-4pm
Location: Richmond (details tbc)
 
Thursday, 4 February: 2-4pm
Location: Twickenham (Marble Hill Park)

Wednesday, 17 February: 10am-12pm
Location: Mortlake (details tbc)

Tuesday, 2 March: 11am-1pm
Location: Teddington (details tbc)

Friday, 19 March: 2-4pm
Location: Richmond (details tbc)

House Meetings

A House Meeting is a listening exercise, which will contribute to a campaign led by Citizens UK to better understand what is affecting people’s wellbeing and what would help. RB Mind is hosting some of these meetings.

Everyone present will each be asked to answer two simple questions for up to 2 minutes (Q1: What is affecting the wellbeing of you and the people you care about? Q2: What could have or has made things better?). The note taker will collect general, anonymised themes which will be fed back to Citizens UK. 

Thursday, 21 January: 1-2pm 
Tuesday, 26 January: 12-1pm