Wow, what a day! It was long, it was busy and we had such a fantastic vibe.
We have loads of THANK YOUs below and lots of photos.
Thank you to all the Carers of all ages, former Carers and paid professionals who attended and a special thank you to our staff, volunteers and the following for their contributions in preparation and on the day. Please find out about and support the people who provided activities, donations and helped make the day such a huge success!
Sponsors:
SES Water for helping pay for lunch!
Welcome Gym for providing free trials for EVERYONE!!
Especially Richard Tams and The Original Metal Sign Co. for coordinating giveaway goodies.
LBS Civic and Sutton Central Library venues: Shona Harris, Nick Ireland, Claire Thrower, Rachella Lartey, Louise Fenner, Gemma Devine, Lucy Soale, Olusegun Obafemi, Steve Tudgey, William French, James Broad, Jandira Torres, Diana Rozo, Mayor Cllr Colin Stears, Cllr Louise Phelan, Cllr Paul Cole, Cllr Marian James, LBS CEO Helen Bailey, Leader of LBS Barry Lewis and Sutton's Local Committees.
Facilitators and additional helpers: People already listed, and Kiran Toora, Linda Dhillon, Christiana Torricelli, Donna Wiggins, Jennifer Dixon-Ashun, Steve Triner, Fern Barber, Linda Steventon and Abbie McNaboe.
Matthew Lebidineuse for evening DJing
School of Kung Fu for taster sessions
Therapists: Anne-Marie Cullen (Elysium Treatments)
Sarah Murray, Sam (Aesthetics)
Sarah Dean for facepainting
Clare Knight (clareyboppins)
Trevor from First Ball Academy for van transportation
Donations: The Jerk Hut, Burke Kitchen in Sutton, The Tops Salon (Worcester Park) and Sutton Community Dance Zumba
Performers: Marcel Croll-Meddar and Sabrina Weathers
The main conference hosted a morning and afternoon session, each with with keynote speakers, interactive creative activities, and breakout rooms forming part of the new Carers Strategy Consultation.
We were delighted to have two amazing guest speakers: in the morning Carers Trust CEO, Kirsty McHugh was introduced by LBS Strategic Director of People and Director of Adult Social Care Services Nick Ireland, and in the afternoon, Carer and Inclusion Specialist Cassandra Blowers told us her story.
And hosted a roleplay on 'intersectionality' for a panel of LBS and Voluntary Sector volunteers...
The information and wellbeing zones had plenty of buzz with our local fire brigade staff, health-checkers, massage therapists and lots more.
The breakout rooms were held on a variety of topics throughout the day, with discussion headlines fed back to the main Conference. All good feedback for the Carers Strategy Consultation.
The evening was a mixture of activity, discussions, creations and entertainment - and of course, the raffle drawn by Deputy Mayor, Cllr Louise Phelan.
Interactive map!
Still smiling after the end of a long day, with Cllr Paul Cole and Cllr Louise Phelan alongside staff, volunteers, entertainers, Young Carers, family and friends.