Carers Cafes & Support Groups

Our in-person Carer Cafés offer a calm and welcoming space where carers can slow down and focus on their own wellbeing. Sessions are gentle and supportive, with activities that help you relax and reconnect with yourself. 

Activities may include: 

• Guided meditation and relaxation sessions 

• Mindful walks to enjoy fresh air and gentle movement 

• Arts and crafts, with no experience needed 

• Friendly conversation with other carers who understand 

You are free to take part as much or as little as you like. Many carers tell us these sessions help them feel calmer, lighter, and more able to cope with the challenges they face day to day. 

We currently run two welcoming in person Carer Cafés. One takes place at Clarence House in Leicester city centre on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The other meets once a fortnight on Friday at Tesco in the community room at Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre. 

A newly launched LGBTQ+ Carers Cafe has started this February and takes place on the second Friday each month from 10:00 – 12:00 in the Bradbury Centre. 

This cafe has been started to address the unique concerns and issues you may face as an LGBTQ+ carer, such as not being recognised as next of kin, having your relationships questioned or dismissed, being misgendered or outed in healthcare settings, fears of discrimination if you disclose who you are, or assumptions about your family, gender or sexuality that simply don’t fit. 

This is a chance to meet others who can relate and understand your experiences, share stories, and connect in a relaxed and welcoming environment. There’s no pressure to talk if you don’t want to — you’re free to join in at your own pace, have a cuppa, and be yourself.  

Our team will also be on hand to offer information, signposting and support if you’d like it. Whether you’re looking for community, reassurance, or simply a safe place to spend some time with people who get it, you’ll be very welcome. 

We know that getting out is not always easy. Caring responsibilities, transport, health, or energy levels can all make attending in person difficult. Our online Carer Cafés are there so you can still feel connected and supported, wherever you are. 

Joining from home, you will find the same warmth, understanding, and sense of community. You can keep your camera on or off, speak or simply listen. There is no right or wrong way to take part. 

Online Carer Cafés offer: 

• A welcoming space to talk openly or quietly listen 

• Connection with other carers who understand your experiences 

• Gentle wellbeing activities and supportive discussion 

From time to time, we also arrange group outings as part of our Carer Cafés. These trips give carers the chance to enjoy a change of scenery, spend time with others, and take a proper break from the usual routine. 

In the past, carers have enjoyed trips to places such as Market Harborough and Coventry, enjoying time to explore, chat, and simply enjoy being out together. 

Our Neurodiversity Peer Support Group is for carers of adults, young people, and children with autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent conditions. 

Caring within a neurodiverse family can bring unique joys and challenges. This group offers a space where you can speak openly with others who understand those experiences first hand. 

The group provides: 

• A safe, non-judgemental space to share experiences 

• Peer support from carers who understand neurodiversity 

• Practical ideas, coping strategies, and shared learning 

• Reassurance that you are not alone in how you feel 

You are welcome whether you are seeking advice, reassurance, or simply a place where you feel understood. 

Our Parent Carer Support Group is for parents and carers of children and young people under the age of 25. 

Parent carers often tell us they feel they have to stay strong all the time. This group is a place where you can let your guard down, talk honestly, and feel supported by others who are walking a similar path. 

These sessions offer: 

• Emotional support from other parent carers 

• Space to share worries, challenges, and small wins 

• Information about local services and support 

• A kind, understanding environment where your voice matters