Brighter Days - Creative Connections for Carers
Sign up to our free creative connections service for carers here
Every day, carers give their time, energy, and love to care for others - often without recognition or a moment to recharge themselves. Many carers don't identify as a carer - they are a loved one providing support when it is needed most.
But being a carer and putting someone else's needs before your own can be a great responsibility. Being a carer can have a significant impact on mental health and wellbeing.
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State of Caring, 2023 report evidences that 82% of carers said the impact of caring on their physical and mental health would be a challenge over the coming year. (Carers UK Report)
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Over three quarters (79%) of carers feel stressed or anxious,
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Half of carers (49%) feel depressed, and half of carers (50%) feel lonely. 61% of carers said they needed more support to be able to look after their health and wellbeing.
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Lack of social connection, isolation, loneliness (which are all commonly compounded for carers) have an enormously negative impact on mental and physical health.
That’s why Make the Sunshine are launching Brighter Days, a project designed to show appreciation and provide creative, uplifting moments to those who need them most supported by Somerset County Council and SPARK Somerset through the Accelerating Social Reform programme.
We’ll be delivering seasonal creative packs across Mendip, filled with essential signposting information, thoughtful activities that tie into the seasons, small treats, and motivational prompts to support carers’ well-being and offer a connection into local communities.
The toolkits aim to:
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To give core information to carers in a fun, accessible and creative way
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To support with signposting to other services and provide practical advice and connections with other local VSCE organisations
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To provide bespoke social connection and a sense of purpose with activities that link people into communities (e.g. creative provision connected to local festivals, creative exchanges with schools etc)
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To offer carers discounts and a welcome from certain businesses as a community thank you
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Provide a range of materials to support wellbeing that are themed around the seasons. To give a sense of ritual and purpose and social connection
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Packs will be themed around the five ways to wellbeing: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, Give
• Enable unpaid carers to connect at a time that suits them
• Re-kindle a sense of identity beyond and within their caring responsibilities
How you can get involved
Come along to our Carers Cream Tea:
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Come and meet our team at Make the Sunshine
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Network with other carers in the region
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Enjoy a delicious cream tea
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Find out more about our Creative Connections Programme and give some feedback on the service and help shape plans
We want to discuss with you what would make your life better?
What kind of services would be of benefit to you?
How creative connection might enhance your wellbeing?
Wednesday 2nd April 2025, 2-3:30pm
Paul Street Community Centre
Shepton Mallet, BA4 5LA
Sign up to trial our Creative Connections Service for Carers
Do you know someone who gives all of themselves to support others in need? Would you like to send them a free special thank you package?
Perhaps you are looking after an elderly parent?
Or you look after a spouse or loved one.
Or perhaps you have a family member who is a young carer
Being responsible for somebody else’s care (as well as your own) is a big responsibility. Make the Sunshine is creating a Creative Connections service for Carers – as well as containing helpful information about being a carer and important signposting the main aim of these packs is to offer creative connection to others and to ourselves
If you know someone who might be interested or you would like to order this for a loved one or friend please fill in this short form. Please note you must have full consent from the person you are nominating to give their details.
Email brighterdays@makethesunshine.co.uk to find out more
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Are you a local creative? Are you passionate about using creativity to support well-being?
We are looking for artists and creative partners to help shape this trial by creating:
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A short 2–3 minute introduction to your creative practice - this could be a video, audio clip, letter, or postcard.
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A creative activity designed to encourage carers to take five minutes for themselves or to develop a creative or mindful ritual or habit or engage in a shared creative moment.
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Activities should align with the Five Ways to Wellbeing: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, Give.
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We’re looking for ideas that inspire hope, joy, fun, and playfulness, offering carers a moment of escape and creativity.
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This could be a mindful art activity, a stretch, a short story, a creative prompt - anything you think would work!
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Come along to our artists meeting
Wednesday 9th April, 7:30 - 9pm
501 Gin Bar, Shepton Mallet
RSVP to Louise at hello@makethesunshine.co.uk
Do you have an idea to improve the care sector?
May Day is a Time for New Beginnings.
Join us for a session focussed on exploring the challenges to be met and new service ideas that could be generated in response to this. Developing ideas, building a case for support, planning and working up proposals and exploring fundraising advice.
Thursday 1st May
Paul Street Community Centre, BA4 5LA
