Tower Hamlets launches Unpaid Carers Network

On the 11th September 2025, NELCA, in collaboration with Tower hamlets carers center sucessfully launched the Unpaid carers network. The event created space for carers to connect with one another, meet local professionals and discover practical support available in the borough.

Speakers from Carers Centre Tower Hamlets outlined the support available at The Royal London Hospital, guiding attendees on where to go for advice, referrals and day-to-day assistance. Alongside NELCA’s own information stall, the event featured stalls from the Community Navigator service and the Carers Centre, giving carers the chance to ask questions, pick up resources and have engaging conversations with health professionals on the spot.

A short, relatable video was screened to the wider group, powerfully showcasing the realities of being an unpaid carer, the juggling of work and caring, the emotional load and the resilience that holds families together. The film sparked thoughtful conversations and helped frame subsequent discussions about which kinds of support make the biggest difference.

A highlight of the day was an in-depth, interactive CPR demonstration delivered by the London Ambulance Service, who gave attendees a walkthrough of the steps in responding to a cardiac emergency, then invited everyone to practice the technique themselves. For many attendees, it was the first time they had tried CPR under professional guidance, a confidence building experience that could prove vital at home or in the community.

Feedback from carers was warm and enthusiastic, praising the practical training, the liveded experience video and the opportunity to speak directly with support services in one place. Reflecting on the partnership approach behind the launch, Tony Collins-Smith, Carers Wellbeing Academy and Volunteer Manager at Carers Centre Tower Hamlets, said:

It was a pleasure and a privilege to work in partnership with NELCA and develop resources that support carers as well as encourage them to think about their own health.