Portsmouth Carers Centre

We’re proud to share the pledge from Thelma and the Compass Carers Support Group:
📣 “Always to meet as friends/carers to help each other and liaise with the wonderful support workers at the Carers Centre 🙂”

💡 Small actions really do make a big difference.

📸 If you'd like to create your pledge for Portsmouth Carers, take a photo with your team, and send it to us to be featured.

👉 Find pledge boards and more information here:
https://portsmouthcarersservice.co.uk/news-events/portsmouth-100-pledge-to-carers/

Together, we can make Portsmouth a place where carers feel recognised, valued and supported.

💙 Are you an unpaid carer in Paulsgrove?💙

Join Jo on Monday 29th June for CARERS CONNECT PAULSGROVE – a friendly, informal drop‑in where you can chat with our team and find out what support is available for you.

Whether you’re new to caring or have been supporting someone for years, come along for:
✅ Information about the Portsmouth Carers Service
✅ Advice on support available to unpaid carers
✅ A relaxed space to ask questions and be heard

📍Hive Community Helpdesk, Paulsgrove Housing House, PO6 4HQ
🗓 Last Monday of every month
⏰ 10.00am – 11.30am

No pressure, no judgement – just support.

📞 To book a 1‑to‑1 appointment, contact 02392 851864
📧 or email [email protected]

Please share with anyone who may benefit 💬💙

*** We are running as usual this morning - Room One Loved Ones group is on 10am - 12noon***

Do you support someone (of any age) who is autistic or neurodivergent?

💙♾️ Room One Loved Ones Group ♾️💙

This group offers a safe, supportive space for carers and loved ones of people (of any age) who are autistic or neurodivergent. It’s a place to share experiences, feel understood, and connect with others who truly get it.

Everyone involved has lived experience, including the facilitators - you don’t have to explain yourself here.

📆 Friday 26th June
🕙 10am–12pm (2nd & 4th Friday of the month)
📍 Carers Centre, Southsea, PO4 0AD

💬 Friendly, informal and welcoming
☕ Tea and coffee provided

You are not alone. 💙

💧 Information Session for Carers – Come along and see Portsmouth Water! 💧

Are you a carer in Portsmouth? Come and have a friendly chat with Portsmouth Water to find out how they can support you and help you save money on your water bills.

✅ Learn about reduced tariffs and bill support
✅ Find out about extra help during water interruptions
✅ Get advice on managing water costs

📍 Carers Centre, PO4 0AD
📅 Monday 29 June
⏰ 11am – 1pm
🚶 Drop-in – no need to book!

This is a great opportunity to ask questions and explore what support you may be eligible for.

We’d love to see you there 💙

For your information...

Due to the hot weather causing the failure of several chiller units which support critical infrastructure, Queen Alexandra Hospital has today declared a critical incident.

This has led to increased temperatures in a number of areas across the Trust, affecting our digital systems and critical clinical services, including theatres, cardiac catheter laboratories (cath labs), and diagnostic scanning facilities. Engineers are on site working to restore affected systems and minimise disruption.

Please be assured, our patients and staff remain safe, and we are doing everything we can to get our services back up and running as quickly as possible.

Some planned care and appointments have been stood down until the issues have been resolved. Patients will be contacted if they are impacted, so should continue to attend unless they hear from us directly. Please help our teams, by limiting the number of people coming with you and ensure you bring plenty of water.

Read more: https://www.porthosp.nhs.uk/about-us/news/critical-incident-declared

☀️ Staying Cool Indoors in the Heat ☀️

With temperatures staying very high, it’s important to take extra care - especially if you or the person you care for is more vulnerable. 💙

Here are some simple ways to stay cool at home:

💧 Keep hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day - even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid too much caffeine or alcohol.

🪟 Keep the heat out: Close curtains, blinds and windows during the day, especially on sun-facing rooms. Open windows in the evening or early morning when it’s cooler.

🌀 Create airflow: Use a fan where possible, or let cooler air move through your home in the evening and at night.

👕 Dress for the weather: Wear loose, light clothing and use lightweight bedding to stay comfortable.

🚿 Cool your body: Take a cool shower, use a damp cloth on your neck or wrists, or keep ice packs wrapped in a towel nearby.

🍉 Eat light & refreshing foods: Choose smaller, cooler meals and foods with high water content like fruit.

👀 Check in on others: If someone you care for (or know) is older, unwell, or lives alone, check in regularly to make sure they are coping okay.

⚠️WHEN TO GET HELP ⚠️

☎️ Call NHS 111 (non-emergency) if you or the person you care for is feeling unwell in the heat, for example:
❗Dizziness, headaches or feeling faint
❗Nausea or excessive sweating
❗Signs of dehydration (very thirsty, dark urine)

🚨 Call 999 (emergency) if someone:
‼️Becomes confused or unresponsive
‼️Stops sweating and has a very high temperature
‼️Has seizures, collapses, or has difficulty breathing

These can be signs of heatstroke, which needs urgent medical attention.

Please take care and reach out if you need support - we’re here for you. 💙

Get help for your symptoms - NHS 111 This website only stores the cookies that are needed to make it work. Read more about how we use cookies (opens in a new tab).

🚨 URGENT NOTICE 🚨

Due to the extreme heat, Portsmouth Carers Centre building will be closed today (Wed 24th) and tomorrow (Thurs 25th), to ensure the safety and wellbeing of carers and staff.

We’re very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. 💙

Our team is still available to support you - please don’t hesitate to get in touch by phone or email:
☎️ 02392 851864
📧 [email protected]

Please take care, stay cool, and look after yourselves during this hot weather.

Thank you for your understanding.

😊 Escape the heat today and join Laura for our Creative Cuppa & Catch-up!

This drop-in session for carers is a friendly coffee ☕ afternoon with a creative twist 🎨👩‍

There will be tea/coffee/water available and of course a biscuit or two 🍪

We always have one or two simple craft activities for you to try if you want to - there's no pressure.

If you would like to come just for the cuppa and chat you are more than welcome. You don't have to stay for the whole session - it is a drop-in, so you could come after the school run for a bit of me time!

📅 TODAY - Tues 23rd June
⏰ 11.30am - 1.30pm
📌 Portsmouth Carers Centre

🌿 A moment for you, found in nature 🌿

Are you an unpaid carer looking for a simple way to take a break and focus on your own wellbeing?

💚 Green Care for You is a FREE two-week programme designed especially for carers. It offers gentle nature and gardening activities that fit around your caring role – whether you have two minutes or twenty.

You don’t need a garden or any experience – you can take part indoors or outdoors, at your own pace. 🌱

Spending even a short time connecting with nature can help reduce stress, boost mood, and support both physical and mental wellbeing.

✨ Take a small moment for yourself – because your wellbeing matters too.
👉 Find out more or sign up: https://uk.emma-live.com/greencareforyou

Green Care For You Visit our incredible website to take part in the event.

Do you support someone (of any age) who is autisitc or neurodivergent?

💙♾️ Room One Loved Ones Group ♾️💙

This group offers a safe, supportive space for carers and loved ones of people (of any age) who are autistic or neurodivergent. It’s a place to share experiences, feel understood, and connect with others who truly get it.

Everyone involved has lived experience, including the facilitators - you don’t have to explain yourself here.

📆 Friday 26th June
🕙 10am–12pm (2nd & 4th Friday of the month)
📍 Carers Centre, Southsea, PO4 0AD

💬 Friendly, informal and welcoming
☕ Tea and coffee provided

You are not alone. 💙