As part of Carers Week 2026 at Lifted, the team hosted activities designed to give carers a therapeutic and relaxing space where they could take time for themselves, connect with others, and reflect on their caring journey. Carers were welcomed to the centre and helped create a warm, friendly atmosphere by providing refreshments, including non – Alcoholic beverages, biscuits, and cakes, so that everyone felt comfortable, valued, and supported.
One of the highlights of the week was a pamper session for 50 carers and cared-for individuals, which included over-the-clothes body massage or head massage, as well as nail manicures and painting. Shekila also facilitated the Hidden Heroes activity, which encouraged carers to express their feelings and experiences through creative prompts and a word bank exercise. Carers selected words that best represented their journey, such as resilience, strength, hope, and determination, leading to meaningful conversations and shared experiences.
The feedback was extremely positive, with carers describing the activities as calming, supportive, and empowering. Many said they appreciated the opportunity to feel heard, recognised, and connected with others, making the week a meaningful and uplifting experience for everyone involved. All carers were asked if they could participate in completing a Carers Health questionnaire which was to gather information around carers accessing mental wellbeing projects and or physical exercise programs as part of Sues work with Carers Manchester which was identified in a carers gap analysis 2025.
Carers and cared-for individuals also enjoyed several games of bingo, with some lovely prizes on offer, and took part in raffles, which added to the fun and celebratory atmosphere of the week. The lunch was also very well received and catered for a range of dietary needs, including halal options. It was provided by Dahlia Cafe, a women-led CIC based in Burnage. All carers were given a small complimentary gift containing a lifted carers week 2026 pencil and bottle opener, a small heart shaped pebble, a small heart shaped chocolate and an affirmation card.
On Wednesday, a small group took part in a carers’ walk around Wythenshawe Park. The group split into two, with one group doing a shorter walk to support those with mobility issues, while the other enjoyed a longer route. Although the rain made an appearance, everyone still enjoyed the outing and rounded it off with a nice brew and shortbread biscuit at the Strawberry Fox Cafe afterwards.
Friday brought the much-anticipated mystery day out, with 16 carers bravely signing up without knowing the destination in advance. The surprise was revealed on the minibus, and the group soon found themselves heading to the beautiful city of Chester, leaving behind the rain in Manchester for a warm and sunny day out. The first stop was the Grosvenor Museum, followed by coffee and cake at Costa while the group decided how to spend the rest of the day. They then split into three groups, with some hunting for bargains in the charity shops, others enjoying a bus tour around Chester, some taking a walk along the city walls, and the rest visiting the Cathedral to admire its beautiful architecture. The day passed so quickly that lunch was almost forgotten, and a few carers picked up a takeaway to eat on the walk back to the minibus before returning home to their caring responsibilities.
On Saturday evening, four of our carers were treated to a special carers’ celebration evening alongside other carers and staff from Carers Manchester. They enjoyed a three-course meal, entertainment, and were each awarded a certificate of appreciation in recognition of their caring role and commitment.
Lifted would like to thank all staff, volunteers, carers, and cared-for individuals for making Carers Week 2026 such a memorable and successful week for everyone involved.
LIFTED CARERS WEEK 2026 –
CARERS QUOTES
Mystery Trip
Thanks for a lovely day at Chester and the coffee & cake.
It was a smashing day
Thanks for the pamper day and the mystery trip. I really enjoyed spending time with other carers.
I really enjoyed my day trip to Chester.
It was lovely treat to have a Costa coffee & cake. I also enjoyed the bus tour around Chester.
Most of all I got to enjoy Chillaxing and taking time for me!
I attended 2 events the Lifted celebration and the Mystery tour, both were amazing, just what I needed 2 days of relaxation and it all being about me!!
I loved everything about carers week!!
Thank you so much for inviting me to Chester. It was such a fun day
I really enjoyed carers week. I had a lovely massage, food was great I enjoyed the company of other carers, the mystery trip and to top it off my husband age70 had his 1st ever massage and enjoyed it. Thanks to Lifted.
All 3 days were fantastic; the treatments were really relaxing and very enjoyable to be pampered. It was amazing to have the full day with out the stress of caring. Then finished the week being treated to a 3-course meal amongst other carers in the evening
I enjoyed the hidden hero’s wellbeing activity, expressing my feelings about my caring role
Amazing food & pamper treatments. I enjoyed the free bingo & raffle with good company
