The High Sheriff of Berkshire, Alka Kharbanda joined the Slough Carers Support team on Monday for the Festive Carers Forum. She made two special presentations to Carer group leads, Eleanor Cryer MBE, Chair of Slough Mencap and Zhora Jefferies, who runs the Cippenham Carers Group, for their longstanding support to the Carers Partnership Board.
Alka said: “Thank you for inviting me to the forum on Monday. It was a lovely event, and I was honoured to be present and meet the carers and those who have set up groups to help the carers. The work you do at Slough CVS is invaluable and makes such a difference to so many people. Thank you to you all.”
The Slough Carers Support festive forum was supported by Berkshire Community Foundation. Huge thanks were expressed to them at the forum, for kindly providing funding for warm spaces for carers which will be distributed among four groups: Asian Carers; Slough Mencap; Special Voices and Cippenham Carers, who will all be receiving funds to help run group sessions over the winter months, providing a warm and safe space, with tea and coffee for carers. The funding will also support with transport for carers, to bring them to group activities, during these challenging months.
Kinder Bassi, Slough Carers Support Manager thanked Joyti, CO-OP Store Slough, KP Snacks, Asda and Slice of Elegance for their support for this event, and Eleanor Cryer from Slough Mencap, for providing a warm space venue to host the event.
Carers were in full festive mood, as they enjoyed an interactive exercise session from Emily of EL Fitness, a sing-along with carers from Cippenham Carers Group, a wonderful buffet lunch, catching up with fellow carers and gifts from Santa Claus. There was also an opportunity for carers to access information from CAB, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Service and the 50 Plus Forum, at their information stalls.
Special thanks to Julie Humphrey at Slough Business Community Partnership for organising the gifts and to IPSEN Group for their generous donations which helped carers to access a Christmas gift to put under their tree.
Julie Humphries SBCP said: “We know that for unpaid carers, the work does not stop for a break for Christmas and the festive season. Full-time carers especially, have need for a short break, without having to worry about the person they care for. All carers were ever so surprised and overwhelmed receiving these kind gifts which makes it all worthwhile.”
Kinder Bassi, Slough Carers Support Manager, said “Over the last two years, we all know that many carers have worked with extraordinary dedication, often in very difficult and challenging conditions, to give their loved ones the care, dignity and support that they need. This has made it difficult for them to come out of their home and enjoy a little of the festive season approaching, so providing this warm space for all carers to come along for the day, enjoy some warm snacks and refreshments, along with singing to Christmas carols and receiving a gift from Santa, we knew it would put a smile on their faces!”
Thank you to all of those who bought raffle tickets, we raised an amazing £171 for the Slough Community Café.
Carers Feedback
Susan, who is a carer, and her family enjoyed attending the Christmas Forum. Susan said: “Really enjoyed it, we also really needed it. Thank you to everyone that has been involved in making this last carers forum for this year something to remember! The gifts are very nice and has put a smile on both me and my husband, whom I care for.”
Mr Khan from Asian Carers Group said: “Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society. Slough Carers Support has done this continuously and we as unpaid carers are ever so grateful! It is a goal and an essential part of life – a kind of destiny you have all shown to us.”
Haleema cares for her 7-year-old son, she said: “Thank you very much for inviting us, we have not been to such a beautiful forum for a long time, it completely took my mind away from the stress I was in.”
Maryam said: “I was so busy taking care of my children, thanks for sharing the information and thanks for making a phone call and encouraging us to attend the forum, so grateful.”
Another carer said, “We all have a responsibility to make sure that we always try our best to be good and kind, and then only good things is what we will leave behind. Thank you to all that made this Christmas Carers Forum special for us!”