A fantastic new project has started in Coventry to support carers with providing free hotel stays and leisure experiences, providing a much needed break.  

MyTime Coventry, a project run by the charity Local Solutions connecting carers and their families with complimentary leisure, cultural and educational activities, has now launched in the city – with Coombe Abbey Hotel and Coventry Rugby Club the first organisations to get involved. Councillor Bigham, joined partners and carers to launch MyTime and contributed to a short film providing details about what MyTime provides and how to access it. 

Several carers have benefited from an overnight stay with breakfast at Coombe Abbey and others will be able to watch Coventry Rugby Club as they have provided free tickets to first team matches. 

The response has been overwhelmingly positive with the hope that more city organisations and businesses will partner with the scheme to help provide a much needed break for unpaid carers in the city.  

One of the most popular activities was a Henna art session, delivered by Wellbeing Advisor Nas. With a queue that lasted all afternoon, it quickly became a highlight of the week and is now being explored as a regular wellbeing activity going forward.

Carers also took part in a relaxing emotional resilience session, featuring calming sounds and gentle movement. For many, these sessions are a vital part of their weekly routine. One carer commented:

"The sessions are so relaxing, and I really look forward to being there each week.  I especially like the sounds of the crystal bowls which are very soothing.  It's good also to see familiar faces from other carer events, to catch up with news and to enjoy the yoga together".

To create moments of joy and exploration, a guided walking tour of Coventry offered carers a chance to learn more about the city’s heritage while enjoying a supportive group activity. A carer shared "‘We were all shocked at how much meaning Coventry has, ‘it was inspiring’.

A vibrant flower arranging workshop invited carers to tap into their creativity, form new friendships, and take home something beautiful they’d made themselves.

“Another fantastic class with the entertaining Sally. She really keeps the energy up. The ladies from Carers' Trust were friendly and welcoming. It was a great class. Hope there are more to come.”

While Carers' Week was a concentrated moment of appreciation, the Adult Wellbeing Teams continue to offer a rich calendar of drop-ins, workshops, advice sessions, and one-to-one support all year round, ensuring carers always have somewhere to turn and someone to talk to.

To find out more about Carers' Trust  please contact us via email or call us on 024 7663 2972, option 1. You can also take a look at our website. 

Festival flag making at Mosaic Hub, young carers created powerful flags showing who they are and what matters to them. So much colour, pride and creativity!

We hosted our second Carers' Week event at CBS Arena, where families joined us for an exciting day,  there was support from organisations from across Coventry and Warwickshire, mini workshops, stadium tours, face painting and a fun photobooth. It was a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness and discuss what equality for carers means.

Some of our young carers have been involved with an eight week project at The Albany Theatre, finishing with a performance of  what they have created. It was wonderful to see them push themselves and try new things. We are very grateful to be supported by partnerships across the community.

Our young adult carers were invited along to Coventry University to be involved in a research project- looking at digital platforms that could support carers and the challenges they face. It’s so important that they have their voices heard and it was thoroughly productive. We’re excited to see how the project develops.

At Wellbeing Wednesday we created a calm, creative session at Coundon Library which helped young carers relax, recharge and explore emotions. We participated in meditation and relaxation stretches!

Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind is rebranding on Tuesday 1 July as part of a 15 year celebration of our charity.

Instead of Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind we will become Coventry Vision Hub. We feel this is a more inclusive title and also trips a little easier off the tongue so will be more memorable.

To celebrate, on Saturday 5 July we will be hosting our summer fete at the centre, with a raffle, stalls and entertainment for everyone. Outside, weather permitting.  So please join us at 33-35 Earlsdon Avenue South, Coventry CV5 6TH.

We would love to see you there.

Bridgit Care recognises the complex challenges that unpaid carers face and their online platform is specifically designed to support carers throughout their caring journey, offering resources for personal well-being, employment, and financial guidance. Bridgit also connects carers with local support networks, services, and events, ensuring that they always have a community to rely on, which is why Coventry City Council have commissioned Bridgit Care to support carers in the city.  

Midland Mencap’s popular Parkride programme returns to Coventry, with six more events, run in partnership with Coventry City Council. You can try side-by-side cycles, tricycles, and a number of other types of cycle that allow you to enjoy the freedom and happiness of cycling in the calm setting of a park.

If you’re feeling adventurous, Midland Mencap instructors can accompany you on rides around the local area using some of our fantastic new cycleways. If you have a specific need, Midland Mencap will be happy to accommodate, simply get in touch with them via phone 0121 442 2944 or dropping them an email

All events take place between 11am and 2pm at the following locations:

• 26 Jul – Nauls Mill Underpark CV1 4DF
• 9 Aug – Nauls Mill Underpark CV1 4DF
• 23 Aug – Nauls Mill Underpark CV1 4DF
• 30 Aug – Shultern Lane open space next to Aldi CV4 7AN
• 6 Sep – War Memorial Park CV3 6PT

They look forward to seeing you!

This course aims to raise awareness and understanding of how the caring role can impact on many aspects of your life. The course looks at ways you can look after yourself as well as continuing to support and promote the independence of the person you care for.

Learning outcomes:

• To increase awareness of the roles and responsibilities of being a Carer in the UK and to look at how these roles affect us.
• To consider and develop some techniques for coping and helping ourselves as well as those we care for.  
• To look at your rights as a Carer and places to seek additional support.  

Aimed at:  Anyone who is currently caring for a friend or family member and is experiencing increased stress.

Course Tutors: Staff from Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust and Heart of England Carers Trust.

When: Tuesday 23 September 2025 from 1pm to 3pm online.

Course Duration: One,  2-hour session.

The Coventry and Warwickshire All Age Autism Strategy 2021-2026 aims to improve services and support for autistic people and their families.
We want to find out what has worked well and what needs to be improved.

We want the views of people who are:
• Autistic
• Waiting for an assessment
• Family members / carers of autistic people
• Family members / carers of people waiting for an assessment
The survey is for people living in Coventry and Warwickshire.

To complete the survey please visit Warwickshire County Council - Citizen Space 

You do not need to give your name to take part.

Please complete the survey by 7 July 2025.

Everyone over the State Pension age in England and Wales with an income of, or below, £35,000 a year will benefit from a Winter Fuel Payment this winter. If this applies to you, you do not need to take any action, you will automatically receive the payment this winter. The payment of £200 per household, or £300 per household where there is someone over 80, will be made automatically this winter.  You can find out more in this press release. 

Please note: 
 
If you receive a text about "Winter Fuel Payment" it is a scam. Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, you do not need to do anything.  

Urgent update - Funding available for a short time to help with:

• Broken boilers/radiators/storage heaters
• Inefficient or old heating systems
• Loft insulation
• Heating controls

Act on Energy, an energy advice charity working in partnership with Coventry City Council to provide impartial and confidential energy advice. We can help with heating issues for vulnerable residents on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits.

We also offer home visits to Coventry residents by our community outreach team to help with energy billing issues, energy debt and arranging benefits checks. They can also advise on how to reduce energy costs in the home and how to avoid issues such as damp and mould.

Contact us on 0800 988 2881 to check eligibility, or check our website for further details.

Support your wellbeing in the early years with Reading Well for families

Parenting in the early years can be a rollercoaster. Whether you're an expectant parent, a new mum or dad, or caring for little ones, your local library is here to help.

Available in Coventry Libraries from 10 June 2025 is a brand new Reading Well for families booklist. These free, expert-recommended reads cover topics like mental health, wellbeing and coping with loss.

You’ll find practical advice, personal stories, illustrated books, and poetry, all chosen to support you through this time. Many titles are also available as e-books or audiobooks.

Developed by The Reading Agency with library partners across the UK and funded by Arts Council England and Welsh Government.