From major new projects to sold-out celebrations, to a glossy Christmas magazine created just for carers, 2025 has transformed what we offer our unpaid carers. However, it’s also shown us how urgently this work needs to continue within our communities. If you’ve ever wondered whether your support makes a difference, it absolutely does – and now is the moment to lean into the season of giving and help us make 2026 our best year for carers yet.
In 2025 we have launched new workshops and cafés, support groups, games nights, cream teas, and of course our sold-out Christmas celebrations. This year our mission has been to build connection, joy and support. We’ve created hundreds of moments of respite for carers who rarely get a break, whether that’s a simple cuppa in good company, a chat online or over the phone when someone needs it most, financial wellbeing seminars, or allowing carers the chance to celebrate Christmas with our sold-out festive events. Our aim has been to change people’s weeks, months and years, eventually adding up to changing their lives with the support and opportunities we provide.
We don’t say this lightly: every donation and every fundraiser genuinely helps transform what we’re able to offer unpaid carers across Wiltshire and Dorset.
The feedback from this year’s activities speaks for itself in terms of what it’s done for unpaid carers. The response to our brand-new glossy Christmas magazine has been overwhelmingly positive, with carers telling us how much it meant to receive something created just for them.
An anonymous carer commented; “I just wanted to say that receiving my copy of the Carers Christmas Chronicle… this afternoon made my day. What a wonderful surprise to receive and I wanted to let me know how much I appreciate you sending me such a wonderful magazine. The thought and care you all clearly put into it was so evident and made me emotional… The recipes, crafts, The QUIZ (OMG) all made me so excited for Christmas with my son who I care for. Just knowing you are there if I need support means the world.”
Our Christmas events programme this year was our biggest yet with many events sold out within days, and we’ve had so much wonderful feedback about how special, uplifting, and much-needed these moments were. One carer who attended our Bishopstrow Afternoon Tea said; “I had a lovely time getting know other ladies at the afternoon tea it was great, lovely food, I’m grateful for opportunity for us to take our mind away from the craziness of running around and caring responsibilities”.
While a carer who attended one of our Christmas lunches had some lovely words of feedback for us; “A huge thank you from me for the wonderful meal and get together today. Also thank you for all you do, I really appreciate you all. The meal today, amongst other things you do means such a lot. The treats you give us makes me feel valued and understood in that it is not easy with the challenges we face in day to day life. You are all invaluable. I know one hundred per cent if I ever have questions, need support or just need to talk to someone and be listened to you are there. You are in my eyes the number one professional support group. You stand out by miles. You all have genuine empathy and understanding and have such warm, patient, and cheerful personalities. I cannot say how much you all mean to me, just knowing you are there gives me extra inner strength.”
Another carer who came along to our stained-glass workshops said “I just wanted to email and say a big thank you to yourself and everyone at Wiltshire carers for the opportunity to attend the stained-glass workshop on Saturday. I’ve never attended any of the activities previously, but I had always wanted to try having a go at stained glass. I am so grateful for the opportunity to do so and had a fabulous time…”
A carer who attended our Bushcraft workshop explained how the event had allowed them to feel confident and take a break from their caring role.
These events and activities aren’t just “nice extras”, added onto our services, they are vital breathing space for people who often spend every day focused on someone else’s needs. As we look ahead, our hope is simple: to keep providing these brilliant, fun, life-lifting opportunities to carers in every corner of our community.
But as an independent charity, none of this happens without you. This season of giving, and as we step into the new year, we’re asking you to support us by donating or fundraising – every act of kindness makes a real, measurable difference!
Even £1 helps us keep our events free, run our peer-support groups, and continue vital projects like Here to Talk, our telephone befriending service, and our Keeping in Touch programme.
Together, we can make 2026 another extraordinary year of community, and connection. To donate today scan the QR code below or follow the link here. Or if you’d like to fundraise for us simply get in touch by emailing admin@carersupportwiltshire.co.uk, or calling 0800 181 4118.
