Recognising Carers Rights Day

Unlocking Wellbeing in Bolton is the partnership between Bolton Wanderers in the Community, The Octagon Theatre, Bolton Carers Support, BSCA and Bolton CVS funded by the National Lottery’s Community Fund. Our Unlocking Wellbeing Sessions provide a welcoming and supportive space for current and former carers to meet fellow carers and take part in creative activities and light yoga supporting their mental wellbeing.  

Thursday 21st November 2024 is Carers Rights Day led by Carers Uk with this year’s theme ‘recognising your rights’ aiming to help carers recognise and understand their rights, and to access the support available to them, whenever they need it. 

Every day, 12,000 people become unpaid carers for a partner, family member or a friend – many of whom don’t see themselves as carers, often unaware of their legal rights and what they’re entitled to in terms of support and benefits. According to the Bolton JSNA:  

9.8% (25,980) of respondents in Bolton said that they provide between 1 and 50 hours of unpaid care per week 

4.3% (11,477) provide between 1 and 19 hours of unpaid care 

2.2% (5902) provide between 20 to 49 hours of unpaid care  

3.3% (8601) provide 50+ hours of unpaid care 

 

With Bolton Council stating: 

40% of carers feel isolated in their role 

Many carers want help in accessing all the benefits they are entitled to, and don’t know who to ask 

Three in five carers felt they couldn’t access the information they needed and didn’t know where to look. 

 

Therefore, here at Bolton Wanderers in the Community we see the importance of supporting our local carers, like Chris, who has cared for family and her late partner to allow space for themselves to take a break and build support networks. As a carer Chris talks to the additional complexities of everyday life as a carer, “Life’s activities, holidays, appointments need to be carefully planned going round any obstacles during this time.” 

After losing her partner during Covid Chris thought she was to be alone in her struggles however through the Unlocking Wellbeing project she attended our Coffee Mornings and Nireexa’s yoga sessions which helped her get from “the dark place [she] was in into the light”. See the interview across our socials: Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn  

Our free Carers Coffee Mornings take place monthly at the Octagon Theatre. All sessions run 11am-1pm and offer a safe space to enjoy some light refreshments, meet fellow carers and take part in creative activities. To book your free place or find out more information, please email participation@octagonbolton.co.uk or call 01204 520 661 (option 4 on the menu). Our next Coffee Mornings take place:  

Tuesday 21st January  

Tuesday 18th February  

Tuesday 18th March  

Tuesday 15th April  

Tuesday 13th May  

Tuesday 10th June  

 

In partnership with Solasana Yoga our Unlocking Wellbeing Yoga sessions provide a 6 week block of free relaxation sessions for local carers to stretch and relax before catching up with fellow carers with light refreshments. Our sessions run 10:30am-12pm with the next sessions running:  

Friday 7th February  

Friday 14th February 

Friday 21st February 

Friday 28th February 

Friday 7th March  

Friday 14th March  

Please contact Nireexa on solasanayoga@gmail.com or 07396 204 593 to confirm your place.