Supporting unpaid carers through 'Time to Breathe'

Carers Count Calderdale provides free, independent, high-quality support to unpaid carers aged 18 and over across Calderdale. The service offers information and advice, emergency planning, peer support groups, training, events and activities, signposting to other services, and specialist support for young adult carers (18-25) and those caring for people with mental ill-health.

Prior to the project, many carers accessing the service highlighted a need for some "time to breathe". Unpaid carers frequently experience physical and mental health challenges linked to their caring responsibilities, including stress, depression, high blood pressure and back pain. Financial barriers and the demands of their caring roles can also make it difficult for carers to access regular exercise and benefit from the associated physical and psychological wellbeing outcomes.

The project aimed to provide carers with valuable respite opportunities, offering convenient, fully funded activities that promoted physical activity and wellbeing. It also sought to encourage carers to become more active in the longer term while creating opportunities for social connection and peer support.

Funding enabled the delivery of 14 Time to Breathe sessions, with 12 completed during the project period. Activities included group walks in local parks and along the canal, line dancing, ladies-only swimming sessions, bowling, a Halifax Heritage walking tour and a variety of other wellbeing-focused experiences. Facilitators have also been secured to deliver the final two sessions, focused on gentle exercise and colour-based wellbeing activities.

“We arranged for Heritage Halifax Walks to provide a 45-minute walking tour of our town. The service is run by volunteers who are passionate about our local history. Carers attended on a nice sunny day and got the benefit of walking, fresh air, local history stories and companionship. We ended the walk with the group being treated to a sandwich and cuppa at a cafe well known by locals, which was very much appreciated and enjoyed.

We ran the activity during the time the carers would have been attending our peer support group, which meant we weren't using extra time and it fit in with our usual hours of support and with any sitting service the carers had booked in. The carers were very enthusiastic and thoroughly enjoyed doing something different. It was a pleasure to arrange this for carers and to see them enjoy a break from their caring role."

Julie Smailes, Carer Support/Admin at Carers Count Calderdale

Carers played a central role in shaping the project from its inception through to delivery. The Time to Breathe concept emerged from conversations about carers' physical and mental wellbeing needs. Feedback was gathered through an online survey to identify preferred activities and understand what participants felt would be most beneficial. Additional insight was collected through discussions at regular peer support groups.

The project also created opportunities to collaborate with other local organisations. Following the successful delivery of a wellbeing session for carers in Kirklees, Colouricity was invited to provide a colour-based wellbeing session for carers in Calderdale as part of the programme.

A total of 93 carers attended Time to Breathe sessions throughout the project, with attendance averaging seven carers per session, varying according to the activity offered. A further 11 carers are expected to attend the final two sessions.

Feedback from participants indicates that the sessions provided a welcome break from caring responsibilities and an opportunity to focus on personal wellbeing. Many carers reported feeling more relaxed, less stressed and more confident following their participation.

"My mood lifted and I was less stressed."

"It made me more confident and relaxed"

"I can't wait for the next walk."

The project also helped address the social isolation often experienced by unpaid carers. Activities provided a supportive environment where carers could connect with others who shared similar experiences. Participants reported forming new friendships and feeling listened to and understood by both their peers and support staff.

"I have met new friends and improved my confidence, I have met new people and got to know them."

"We talked about everything and anything whilst strolling along the canal."

The longer-term impact has included increased motivation to engage in physical activity and wellbeing-focused pursuits. Several carers reported feeling encouraged to exercise more regularly following the sessions, with some taking

practical steps to maintain their wellbeing, such as joining local walking groups.

"I am now joining another walking group, introduced to by the volunteer on the walk. Fun and fitness at its best."

"I've been motivated to carry on with exercise."

"10,000 steps today. Fantastic, I didn't even realise!'