Local charity, Carers Support Centre, is today celebrating after being awarded National Lottery funding to support its work with unpaid carers in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
Carers Support Centre will use the money to further its Walk and Talk service for local carers. On Walk and Talks, our friendly support worker leads group walks, offering a listening ear and providing information to help in a caring role.
Walk and Talk was developed with the triple aims of:
- improving the physical and mental health of carers
- decreasing carer isolation
- increasing carer knowledge about help available to support them in their caring role
Walk and Talk has been supporting carers to increase their physical activity, improve their mental health and develop peer support for the last two years and 65% of carers who come on a walk continue walking with other carers when that support ends.
The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will see more walks for specific carer groups and increase the areas where the walks occur.
Karen Hurley, Adult Carer Services Manager at Carers Support Centre says: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Now, thanks to National Lottery players we can continue and expand our highly impactful Walk and Talk service for carers in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. This is important because the service helps carers improve their mental and physical health and well-being, and helps disperse the sense of isolation many carers can feel when looking after their loved ones.”
Talking of a recent Walk and Talk, a local carers says: “Yesterday I felt overwhelmed with caring responsibilities. Today I feel much more positive after going on the walk, enjoying nature and speaking with other carers.”
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