Sandwell is a vibrant and diverse community. Based on the 2021 Census, around one in four people living here were […]
Read MoreWellbeing, Relaxation & Time Out
Caring for your own wellbeing
It is easy to find yourself struggling to maintain your own health and wellbeing if you often prioritise the needs of others. At Sandwell Carers Service, we want to help you to find a way to balance your caring role alongside maintaining your own wellbeing to avoid burning out. By learning different ways of looking after yourself, you’ll find the benefits extend to the person that you care for too.
Support for a healthy mind
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Knowing what support is available can help you start to make the steps to improve your wellbeing. Healthy Sandwell is a great to explore the type of support available.
The Kaleidoscope Plus Group has teams of specially trained staff in every sector and champion mental health and wellbeing, driving real change and providing crucial mental health support services to the community, wherever they are needed.
Murray Hall Community Trust offers a Carers’ Therapeutic Support Service for unpaid adult Carers living in, or caring for someone, in Sandwell. You can access six one-to-one therapy/counselling support sessions either online, face to face at the centre (The Bridge, Tipton, DY4 0SL) or via telephone. There is also funding available for respite care if needed during your counselling sessions and there are bus passes available if you need support to get to the centre. Call 01902 826 513 or info@murrayhall.co.uk
The NHS website has self-help guides, tools and activities that can improve your mental health including mental wellbeing audio guides, breathing exercises for stress, guided meditation and bedtime meditation videos.
Support for a healthy body
The Healthy Sandwell team is made up of trained health advisors offering friendly, non-judgemental support to help you stay fit and well. Whether it’s quitting smoking, losing weight, or finding the right local service, the team will guide you every step of the way. They’ll help you understand your options and connect you to the support that suits you—quickly and confidentially. Call 0121 569 5100 or 08000114656. Or fill out the contact us form.
There’s lots of ways you can take care of your body and stay healthy. Healthy Sandwell has lots of information and services available to help you, including walking groups, and cycle ride sessions.
The NHS website has exercise guidelines and workouts to help improve your fitness and wellbeing. There’s exercises for strength and flexibility, running and aerobic exercises, fitness studio sessions including pilates and yoga.
Route2Wellbeing is a one-stop shop for local services and activities in Sandwell to boost health and help you get the best out of life. You can search here for exercise, sport and recreation activities.
Yoga, Tai Chi and Line Dancing
Body Mind Collective delivers Yoga, Tai Chi and Line Dancing sessions around Sandwell. Sessions are in accessible and inclusive spaces, complete beginners are welcome as well as those that are more advanced with experience. Body Mind Collective aims to make public community sessions, as financially accessible as possible.
If you like the sound of exercising outdoors, join FREE Park Yoga sessions at West Smethwick Park, West Park Road, Smethwick, B67 7JH, 9.30am – 10.30am every Sunday morning from 4th May to 14th September.
If you are aged over 50, you can enjoy FREE Tai Chi classes at Brasshouse Community Centre, every Monday.
Taking time out
Caring can be a full-time job but it’s important to carve out some time in the day just for you, whether it’s relaxing in the garden, soaking in the bath, flicking through a magazine or watching your favourite television programme. If you would like to spend time with other Carers that are in the same position as you, take a look at our What’s on page to see what events and activities are available.
If you can leave the person that you care for or arrange for them to be looked after by someone else, you can enjoy an overnight break in a hotel. If you provide care for someone for 35+ hours a week, you can access a one or two-night hotel break from as little as £38 to cover the admin fee through Carefree.
Sandwell Council has information on arranging replacement care and Kids offers short breaks for children with disabilities and special educational needs providing families a break from their caring responsibilities.
Sandwell Parents for Disabled Children (SPDC) also offers short breaks for children, while Parent Carers can take advantage of advice & well-being sessions, social events, pamper treatments and craft activities. Get in touch by calling 0121 565 2410.
