Our Carers Lunch is a collaboration between Southampton Mencap and Carers in Southampton.  It takes place monthly on a Wednesday at The Victory Centre, 154-158 Portswood Road SO17 2NH.  Parking may be found at Westridge Road Car Park and costs 50p for 3 hrs.  There is NO parking available at the office of Southampton Mencap or Carers in Southampton due to the Cafe Down the Lane need for customer parking.

We invite speakers on relevant topics to talk from 12-1pm and this is followed by a free light lunch of sandwiches and treats from 1-2pm.  Staff from Carers in Southampton and Southampton Mencap attend the lunch and are available to answer any questions you may have via our Information Desk.  We ask that you tell us if you plan to attend, by phoning us on 023 8058 2387 or emailing us at [email protected]. 

Who can attend our Carers Lunch?

Any adult who gives up their time, unpaid, to look after someone who needs additional support, such as a family member, a friend, or a neighbour.  You must be resident in a Southampton city postcode or looking after someone who lives in a Southampton city postcode.

Carers Lunch Dates for 2019:

There is NO parking available at the office of Southampton Mencap or Carers in Southampton due to the Cafe Down the Lane need for customer parking.

24th July

Guest speaker Clare Evans, Learning Disability specialist on designing a WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan)

The Wellness Recovery Action Plan or WRAP is a tool designed for anyone to use to get well, stay well and make their life more fulfilling.

Initially developed both by and for people trying to overcome their own mental health issues and move forward, it is now used extensively by people in all kinds of circumstances.

Working with or caring for someone can be extremely difficult. With this in mind, it is considered to be an extremely helpful resource for carers to develop their own too. 

The WRAP plan includes thinking about; how you are when everything is going well, stressors, early warning signs of difficulty, signs that things have become extremely difficult, and what wellness tools you can use to get back on track. By doing your own WRAP plan, you are able to consider your needs but also learn how to develop one with someone you care for.

21st August

Guest speaker from Southern Water on Priority Register and reduced payment options

18th September

Guest speaker from Blue Badge team

16th October

Guest speaker Ann Baker from Trading Standards team

20th November

Guest speaker Catherine Diamond from Dutton Gregory solicitors on Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney

18th December

To be confirmed