Carers Centre for Brighton and Hove – Male Carers Support Group

Lead service provider/commissioner

Name:: Brighton & Hove City Council

Type of knowledge

Type of knowledge:: Project evaluation
Type of evaluation:: Survey

Prevention service description

The group aims to provide a space to relax in order to prevent the stress, isolation, and physical and mental health difficulties that can result from taking on a caring role. The service was started by the Carers Centre in 2009, funded by Brighton and Hove City Council when it was recognised that men were not attending regular services provided by the Centre and potentially had particular support needs which would benefit from a relaxed all-male environment. Since that time a core group of members has built up.

Monthly coffee mornings are held in local cafes or other community spaces and are used to plan the monthly social activity which is chosen by the group. In the past these have included bowling, pool, mini-golf, fishing, and cinema trips. There is a distinctive focus on food, with annual end-of-year meal and a ‘Male Carers Big Breakfast’. Activities tend to be planned for evenings and weekends, and lasting for no more than a couple of hours, in the local area, as this works best around caring responsibilities. Transport costs for members with mobility issues are provided for by the Carers Centre.