Regular Groups and Activities
Richmond Carers Centre events
On this page you will find a special programme of activities planned by Richmond Carers Centre for Carers Week 2024. You will also find the programme of activities organised by Richmond Carers Centre in July and August.
Please also take a look at our programme of workshops organised for carers.
Richmond Carers Centre runs a number of regular groups and activities, open to all adult carers registered with Richmond Carers Centre. This is a blended service offering both online and face-to-face sessions, details of which can be found below.
We are always developing our programme of groups and activities and we would love to hear from you if you have any suggestions or ideas as this will help us in our planning. Please email support@richmondcarers.org
Our online sessions are run online using Zoom. When your place has been confirmed you will receive an email with a link to join the group along with instructions for using Zoom and information on how the group will work. If you are not familiar with Zoom, please do not worry as we are available to support you with this. Just let us know and we will be happy to guide you on how to use the platform.
Email support@richmondcarers.org to register your interest in any of the activities below.
Registering your interest is essential as activities and workshops are in high demand. Spaces are allocated fairly, with priority given to newly registered carers and carers that have not attended an activity before. Please note that all activities and workshops are for adult carers registered with Richmond Carers Centre only.
Where applicable, please specify your preferred time and date when registering your interest in any of our activities. Please allow 10 days for an initial response.
Carers Week 2024
‘Putting Carers on the Map’
10th to 16th June
Richmond carers Centre is delighted to be supporting Carers Week 2024 again this year. Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring and help people to identify as carers and access much-needed support. Charities, organisations and individuals get together to show support for the millions of unpaid carers in the UK and to spread the word about the challenges they face and what needs to be done to improve their daily lives.
The theme for Carers Week 2024 is ‘Putting Carers on the Map’. This Carers Week, we want communities across the UK to come together to recognise the huge contribution unpaid carers make to society. Politicians, employers, health and social services, businesses, education providers and members of the public all have a role to play in raising awareness of caring and making sure carers are able to access the information and support they need. To find out more and get involved, visit carersweek.org.
Places are filling fast so please register your interest if you would like to attend.
Carers Week Activities
Poppy Factory Tour
The Poppy Factory has been a Richmond landmark since the 1920s, supporting veterans and producing handmade Remembrance wreaths. On this special tour to commemorate 80 years since the D Day Landings, we will learn about the history of Remembrance, enjoy a tour of the factory, take part in wreath-making, and make a poppy to take home.
12.30-2pm
Monday 3rd June
Venue: Richmond
Kew Gardens Trip
This monthly trip to Kew Gardens offers the opportunity to explore and enjoy the delights of Kew Gardens. Carers go free as part of our membership with the Community Access Scheme. Meet promptly to enter the gardens as a group.
10.30am-finish
Tuesday 4th June
Venue: Kew Gardens
Coffee Morning
Join us for a hot drink and friendly conversation with fellow carers.
10.30am-12noon
Wednesday 5th June
Venue: Twickenham Green
Art Club
Our art sessions explore a range of art mediums with the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and connect with other carers in a relaxed environment. June’s activity will focus on using water colours to create a floral design. Carers will be provided with a frame at the activity to frame their finished art piece.
1-3pm
Thursday 6th June
Venue: Twickenham Green
Pizza Making
Join us for a lively evening of fun and games whilst learning how to make your own pizza. A great opportunity to have a good time and enhance your cooking skills. Kick off the session with a drink and some nibbles. Then get stuck into dough tossing and pizza making, taking your pick from a selection of fresh ingredients, before tucking in to your delicious creation.
6-8pm
Thursday 6th June
Venue: Teddington
Swimming Club
Richmond Carers Centre has hired swimming lanes so you can enjoy a swim with other carers. Timings include 15 minutes either side to allow time for changing.
2.45-4pm (pool time 3-3.45pm)
Friday 7th June
Venue: Teddington
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art that is often practised as form of gentle exercise and meditation. It can help to relieve stress while improving your strength and balance. No experience is necessary and our experienced practitioner can adapt the exercises to suit different levels of mobility.
11am-12noon
Tuesday 11th June
Venue: Twickenham Green
Strawberry Hill House Tour – Please note the change of date
Strawberry Hill House is internationally famous as Britain’s finest example of Georgian Gothic Revival architecture. In this guided tour, expert guides will give an overview of the history, art, and architecture of the house and provide comprehensive answers to any questions.
10-11.30am
Thursday 27th June
Venue: Strawberry Hill
Twickenham Brewery Tour
Have you ever wondered how beer is made or how small breweries work? On this two-hour tour we will learn all about the brewing process whilst enjoying a delicious tipple and getting a branded glass to take home. Soft drinks are also available.
7-9pm
Wednesday 12th June
Venue: Twickenham
Lush Bath Bombs and Pamper for Parent Carers
Join us for a bath bomb making workshop, with additional pampering and skincare tips and advice with Lush. At the end of the session, you will have a handmade product to take home. Please note, this activity is for parent carers only.
11am-1pm
Thursday 13th June
Venue: Twickenham Green
Massage
Join us for a massage that will leave you feeling calm and centred. Our practitioner will help you to understand your body and give you some self-care tips to use at home as well. Sessions will be 20 minutes long and take place over two days.
10am, 10.30am, 11am, 11.30am and 12noon
Tuesdays 18th and 25th June
Venue: Twickenham Green
Jewellery Making
Try your hand at making a bracelet using handmade glass beads. By the end of this hands-on activity, you will have created a unique piece of DIY jewellery that you will be proud to wear or give as a gift.
11am-1pm
Wednesday 19th June
Venue: Twickenham Green
Bingo Social Evening
Come along to our Social Evening to meet other carers and enjoy some refreshments over a game of bingo.
6-8pm
Wednesday 19th June
Venue: Twickenham Green
Boat Cruise on the River Thames
Enjoy a relaxing boat trip and explore a stunning stretch of the river Thames in a small Classic Georgian style boat. Refreshments will be provided on board.
Three separate launches:
10-11am, 11.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-2.30pm
Thursday 20th June
Venue: Launching dock at Teddington Lock
Nail Salon for Young Adult Carers
Relax and get your nails painted by a professional nail technician. This will be followed by a coffee and a chat with other young adult carers in a local café.
11am-1pm
Tuesday 25th June
Venue: Twickenham
Lunch Social
Come along for a two course lunch with other carers at a popular restaurant on Richmond riverside.
12noon-3pm
Wednesday 26th June
Venue: Richmond
Mosaic Activity
In this mosaic tile activity, you will have the opportunity to decorate an item using mosaic tiles. This is a therapeutic activity which allows you to focus your energy on something creative and at the same time, meet fellow carers and create a lovely item to keep.
11am–1pm
Thursday 27th June
Venue: Twickenham Green
Hampton Court Palace Visit and Tour
Join us for a guided tour of Hampton Court Palace, taking in the art and architecture of the palace and looking at the wonderful works from the Royal Collection that are on display. General admission to Hampton Court Palace is included, so feel free to stay and explore the palace when the tour has finished.
10.45am-1pm
Wednesday 3rd July
Venue: Hampton Court
London Wetlands Centre and Tour
Find the countryside in the heart of the capital at the London Wetlands Centre in Barnes. A knowledgable volunteer will take us on a tour of wetlands and introduce us to some of wonderful wildlife that lives there. General admission is included, so feel free to stay and relax at the centre when the tour has finished.
Thursday 11th July
11am-1pm
Venue: Barnes
Activity programme – June to July 2024
To book a place, please email support@richmondcarers.org
Coffee Mornings for Parent Carers
Join us for a coffee morning, kindly hosted at Skylarks’ premises. This will be a chance to meet and chat with other parent carers over a hot drink.
12.30-2pm
Tuesday 2nd July
Venue: Saint Margarets
Kew Gardens Trip
This monthly trip offers the opportunity to explore and enjoy the delights of Kew Gardens. Carers go free as part of our membership with the Community Access Scheme. We will take advantage of the summer weather by making two visits in August. We meet promptly to enter the gardens as a group.
10.30am-finish
Tuesdays 2nd July; 6th and 20th August
Venue: Kew Gardens
Coffee Mornings
Join us for a hot drink and friendly conversation with fellow carers.
10.30am-12noon
Wednesdays 3rd July and 7th August
Venue: Twickenham Green
Art Club
Our art sessions explore a range of art mediums with the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and connect with other carers in a relaxed environment. July’s activity will focus on fabric painting on a cushion cover. In August, we will decorate a tea light candle holder. Materials are provided and carers can take their artworks home after the session.
11am-1pm
Thursdays 4th July and 1st August
Venue: Twickenham Green
Horse Grooming
Interacting with animals can be a fantastic way to relax and forget your troubles. This session is being held at an award-winning stable. You will get to spend time in nature, meeting and grooming some friendly horses.
10am-12noon
Tuesday 16th July
Venue: Petersham Stables
Mindful Arts in the Park
In this workshop, you will first be guided on a mindful walk in a local park, tuning in to your senses and the nature around you. You will then use art and creative writing techniques to chart your own experiences and share your ‘map‘ of the park. You will leave with a range of new ways to connect with your local green spaces.
11am-1pm
Wednesday 17th July
Venue: Twickenham Green
Former Carers Meet-Up
Join other former carers for a walk and refreshments at Kew Gardens. Please note this meet up is for former carers whose caring role has ended within the last 6 months.
10.30am-12.30pm
Thursday 18th July
Venue: Kew Gardens
Canoeing at the Lensbury Club
Make a splash in this guided canoeing session at the Lensbury Club. You and a partner carer will enjoy a gentle paddle on the Thames, all under the supervision of an experience instructor. No experience is necessary, but a good level of water confidence is recommended. Please dress appropriately for water sports. A change of clothes is recommended.
4.30-6pm
Thursday 25th July
Venue: The Lensbury Club, Teddington
A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Kew Gardens
Shakespeare’s beguiling comedy of enchantment and transformation is brought to life within a dream-like woodland filled with feuding fairies, eloping lovers and a hapless troupe of actors. Expect magic and mischief with some contemporary references, while enjoying a beautiful summer’s evening at Kew Gardens. Please note this is an outdoor performance without seating. You are advised to bring a picnic blanket or a camping chair and dress appropriately for the weather.
7.30-10pm (including a 20-minute intermission)
Tuesday 30th July
Venue: Kew Gardens
Wellbeing Walk in Richmond Park
A trained walking guide will take you on a circular walk in Richmond Park, taking in in the beautiful scenery and views, and enjoying some gentle exercise with other carers.
11am-1pm
Thursday 8th August
Venue: Richmond Park
Raft Building at the Lensbury Club
Have a go at designing, building, and paddling your own raft at the Lensbury Club. Under the supervision of experienced instructors, you will work as a team using logs, ropes, and barrels to build your craft then take it onto the river to test its seaworthiness! No experience is necessary, but a good level of water confidence is recommended. Please dress appropriately for water sports. A change of clothes is recommended.
4.30-6pm
Thursday 8th August
Venue: The Lensbury Club, Teddington
Now You See Us at Tate Britain
In this art exhibition spanning 400 years from Tudor times to the First World War, Tate Britain celebrates pioneering women artists. This show features over 150 works by women who were determined to succeed, refused to be boxed in, and paved the way for future generations of artists.
10.30am entry
Wednesday 14th August
Venue: Tate Britain
Summer Social Evening
Join us for a glass of Pimm’s and a scone or two whilst socialising with other carers.
6-8pm
Thursday 15th August
Venue: Twickenham Green
Pitch and Putt Golf
Practise your putting and enjoy a fun day out at this short 9-hole golf course. No equipment or experience is necessary. The course is designed for beginners.
11am-12.30pm (approximately)
Wednesday 21st August
Venue: Hounslow
Picnic for Young Adult Carers
Join us for a picnic and some park games with other young adult carers (aged 18-25). This will be a chance to relax and catch up in the sun.
1-3pm
Tuesday 27th August
Venue: Twickenham Green