What's On October 2026
Welcome to our latest Edition of What's On!
We are delighted to share our brand NEW What’s On for October.
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 Events Calendar 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 September, 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
Online Membership
We are delighted to share details of our Online Membership.
As a member of the Carer Voice online membership, you'll receive our regular newsletter, opportunities to share your views and experiences, and invitations to take part in consultations, surveys and engagement activities to help shape and improve services for carers.
We would be delighted for more carers to join us.
How does it work?
We share some of the key issues carers have been talking to us about recently. We gather feedback through conversations, meetings and engagement activities to help us understand what's working well and where improvements are needed.
Current hot topics include:
Accessing Adult Social Care Assessments -
Carers have told us they are finding online assessments lengthy and difficult to complete, with some feeling unsure about what information is needed. We'd like to hear about your experience. Would practical support, a step-by-step guide or an online masterclass help you feel more confident completing these assessments? Do these reflect your experience? Is there anything you think we're missing?
Understanding Care Costs and Financial Contributions -
Some carers have told us they're unsure what to expect when it comes to client contributions and care costs. Others have shared concerns about receiving financial information or invoices before they've been given clear information about what they may need to pay. We'd like to hear about your experiences and any suggestions you have for improving information and communication around care costs.
Getting the Right Support -
Some carers have told us they find it difficult to navigate Adult Social Care services and aren't always sure what to expect throughout the process, particularly when there are delays. Others have said they would value more guidance and support to complete tasks, rather than being left to work things out alone. We'd like to hear about your experiences and what would help you feel more supported.
We also share consultations, surveys and other carer voice opportunities - find out more below in Carer Voice.
Every contribution helps shape better support for carers.
Our voice as a carer can make a real difference.
Together, carers are stronger and can help bring important issues to the forefront and inspire action.
Your Voice. Your Choice. Your Impact.
Sign up today by contacting Carer Voice.
Download your copy
of October 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 you get in touch with us:
Healthwatch has shared:
New NHS England guidance aims to help autistic people and people with a learning disability live well in their communities.
NHS England has published new guidance setting out what local services should provide to help autistic people and people with a learning disability live good, meaningful lives in their own communities. The guidance has been developed with input from around 300 people with lived experience, families and professionals.
The guidance highlights the importance of:
Person-centred support based on individual needs
Co-production with people who have lived experience and their families
Better access to healthcare and reasonable adjustments
Stronger community support to help prevent crises
Joined-up working across health, social care, education, housing and the voluntary sector
Tackling the health inequalities experienced by autistic people and people with a learning disability
It also supports the move towards more community-based support and reducing reliance on hospital care, helping people to live as independently as possible and participate fully in community life.
makes quality an organising principle for how the NHS plans, assures and improves care. It gives renewed emphasis to all aspects of quality and creates an opportunity to strengthen how experience is understood, valued and improved across services.
Quality is made up of 3 domains:
safety
effectiveness
experience
Traditionally, experience has had less focus than safety and effectiveness, even though it tells us whether care is compassionate, inclusive, responsive and person-centred. How care feels matters because it shapes trust, confidence, equity and outcomes.
This document defines what excellent experience looks and feels like across NHS-funded care. This means being clear about the behaviours, systems and culture that help people feel listened to, respected, involved and supported throughout their care.
It also emphasises staff experience, equity and learning. Valuing and supporting people who work, volunteer and learn in healthcare improves safety, outcomes and experience. Listening to diverse experiences helps identify barriers, reduce inequalities and strengthen trust, dignity and responsiveness across care. Aligned to the new quality strategy, this document supports leaders and teams to understand variation, embed experience in leadership, culture and improvement, and act in partnership across NHS-funded services. Social care is not in scope, however, partnership working remains essential including with voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. A delivery plan will follow in spring 2027.
This document defines excellent experience and how it should be embedded in quality, leadership and culture. Use it with the self-assessment tool (annex A) which helps you review current practice, identify gaps and guide improvement.
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.
Consultation Opportunities
Your views can help improve services locally and nationally. Below are some of the latest consultation and engagement opportunities from our partners. If there's something that interests you, we'd encourage you to take part and make your voice heard.
Worcestershire All-Age Carers Strategy Refresh -
Worcestershire County Council is inviting unpaid carers to share their views as part of the All-Age Carers Strategy 2027–2032 Refresh. By sharing your experiences, you'll help shape future priorities and ensure the strategy reflects the needs and priorities of unpaid carers.
The Casey Commission – The Big Conversation on Care -
The Independent Commission on Adult Social Care wants to hear from people with lived experience of care and caring. The Big Conversation on Care is a national engagement programme that will help shape the future of adult social care in England. Your experiences and ideas can help influence future recommendations and reforms.
Find out more:
or...
Download the
latest update
HWIN below.
CARERS HUB : Funded by Worcestershire County Council
SWAN : Changing Lives in Worcestershire
As of the 1st of February 2026 SWAN Advocacy provide the new advocacy service in Worcestershire. This service offers:
Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy, DoLS & RPR
Care Act Advocacy
Independent Mental Health Advocacy
Continuing Healthcare Advocacy
NHS and Social Care Complaints
Find out more here:
FREE Life Saving Skills at Restart a Heart Day in Malvern
Heartstart Malvern training is:
Completely FREE (although booking is essential)
The session takes just 90 minutes to learn how to save a life!
100% Practical and hands-on
Suitable for everyone - no previous knowledge needed
Proven to build confidence
99% of participants said they would feel confident performing CPR and using a defibrillator after the session
99% would recommend the training to others
What?
Restart a Heart Day
When?
Friday 16th October 2026
Where?
Malvern Theatre, Grange Road, Malvern, WR14 3HB
How do I book?
Simply fill in the online form and turn up on the day!
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