What is wellbeing?

Self compassion

Being a Carer isn’t easy, and sometimes we wish we acted or responded in a different way. Try actively being kind, practising forgiveness and understanding towards yourself when confronted with personal failings or challenging feelings.

It can be helpful to reflect on how you currently speak and act towards yourself and think about how you would speak to a loved one or another Carer who might be struggling with something or feeling bad about themselves.

Try:

• writing down a more compassionate way of talking to yourself as though you were speaking to a friend.

• asking yourself how can I comfort and care for myself in this moment? Make plans to meet that need.

Changing our reaction can have a profound impact and do a lot for our well-being. We are all a work in progress and mistakes are an opportunity for growth and learning.

What is wellbeing?

We use the word wellbeing to talk about how we feel, how well we’re coping with life and what feels possible at the moment. Good mental wellbeing doesn't mean we’re always happy or unaffected by experiences. But poor mental wellbeing can make it more difficult to cope. In simple terms, wellbeing can be described as being comfortable, healthy and happy!

At Sutton Carers Centre, we have Carer Wellbeing Navigators who work in partnership with Sutton Talking Therapies (NHS). Our Wellbeing Navigators offer Carers 1-1 sessions to explore practical actions that can improve wellbeing whilst on their caring journey. If this is something you are interested in, please get in touch to complete a referral.

Our Carer Wellbeing Navigator's also attend some of our Peer Support Groups and sessions at the Centre. Our Wellbeing Lead, Kathryn, recently attended our weekly Carers Connect Coffee Morning to lead a workshop. During this session, we explored our aspirations for our wellbeing over the coming year, looking at three different types of 'buckets' including what drains our energy / gives us energy, what support we have in place / what support we may need in the coming year, and what brings us relief. Carers shared their wellbeing priorities and explored small ways of making a positive impact.

Our regular wellbeing services include:

1. weekly Relaxation Group on Mondays

2. weekly 'Carers Connect' Coffee Morning on Thursdays with regular talks and wellbeing workshops

3. 1-1 sessions

4. partner workshops such as 'Maintaining your wellbeing as a Carer'