What's On May 2026
- Nathalie Clarke
- Apr 24
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 29
Welcome to our latest Edition of What's On!
We are delighted to share our brand NEW What’s On for May.
Our charity has recently rebranded from Worcestershire Association of Carers to 'Carers & Communities.' This new name captures the essence of our mission: to support the invaluable work of carers while emphasising the role of the wider community in their journey.
Our digital newsletter, which we are now sharing here in the form of a blog, is full of useful information for unpaid carers.
You will see we have some great events coming up. Please do also keep an eye on the WHAT'S ON pages on our website, as we are developing our training and activities programme and will be bringing new and varied opportunities.
You can also find below, a copy of our interactive, digital events schedule for May, ready to download or share. If you would like a copy for printing, with QR codes, please let us know.
Our website is full of information resources and with regular blogs, you can stay up to date on all things caring. We also welcome you to follow us on our socials.
If you need support, information or advice, or to be added to our mailing list, please do get in touch. We’re here to help.
Best wishes, Carers & Communities Team
Download your copy
of May events below.
As a carer, you have the knowledge and experience of what works well and what needs to be improved both in services for carers and those who you care for. We have a seat at the table in many meetings and boards to ensure that carers are part of the conversation when decisions are made. We welcome carers to get involved and attend meetings, where full support and training is provided.
Not able to commit to coming to regular meetings? No problem, there is plenty of opportunity to feed in your views to make sure they are heard and make a difference.
To find out more about getting involved in a way that suits youget in touch with us:
Have Your Say on Local Health and Care Services with Healthwatch
Your feedback can make a difference.
Have you recently used a GP, hospital, dentist, or other health and care service in Worcestershire?
Healthwatch Worcestershire wants to hear about your experience - whether it was positive or could have been better. Your feedback helps highlight what’s working well and where improvements are needed.
By sharing your views, you can help shape health and care services for your community and make a real difference for others.
Every story matters, and your voice can help improve services across Worcestershire.
You can share your experiences with care services and care providers, by getting involved in the #TellUs campaign.
Carers Allowance - Overpayments Update
If you have been affected by an overpayment due to fluctuating earnings, DWP will contact you when your case is reassessed. They have confirmed that this may take some time, but you do not need to take any action. For more information, please visit our overpayments support hub webpage.
We know that this has understandably caused a lot of worry for many carers across the UK. If you need further support, please do reach out." Carers UK
Please note that this is a review of previous overpayments not future entitlement at this point. If you would like more information, please do get in touch.
In March 2025, the Government published its Pathways to Work Green Paper, detailing plans to reform the welfare system. This included proposals to make substantial cuts to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and carers’ benefits.
Thanks to significant pressure from unpaid carers and disabled people, the Government had to make important changes to the proposed legislation, including removing aspects which would have seen 150,000 carers lose their benefits entitlements by the end of the decade.
On 1 July, during the Second Reading of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, Sir Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Social Security and Disability, confirmed that the Government would remove all provisions relating to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - and carers’ benefits - from the Bill. This means:
There will be no changes to PIP or carers’ benefits as originally proposed.
Any future changes to PIP will only be introduced after Autumn 2026, and only once the Government’s full, co-produced review of PIP has been completed.
These were significant changes to the Bill, achieved through the vital campaigning of thousands of carers and disabled people who united against the proposed cuts to PIP.
At Carers & Communities, we recognise that the benefits system is complex and can be daunting to navigate.
Did you know we provide free to access benefits sessions for unpaid carers? We have sessions arranged throughout 2026, in partnership with Society Matters.
In this specialist session, we cover all things benefits with carers as the focus.
Find out what financial support you could be entitled to and join one of our online sessions. More details about these and all our events, can be found on our events page.
Download the
latest update
HWIN below.
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