Carers First are delighted to announce that we have been awarded a grant from Heart Research UK and Subway to help get our London-based carers active.
At Carers First, we support over 24,000 unpaid carers in the boroughs of Newham, Haringey, Hackney and Waltham Forest. This grant aids us in launching our ‘Ready, Set Walk’ project, which seeks to help get our carers, and the people they care for physically active.
National research indicates that 54% of carers have reduced the amount of exercise they take because of caring responsibilities, and 58% say their physical health has worsened because of the pandemic (Carers UK, 2020).
Our Ready, Set Walk project aims to support 120 carers who are at risk of inactivity and social isolation. We run weekly 'Walk and Talk' peer support groups, alongside a collective Stepstember challenge. Walks will provide carers with respite time, increase physical activity levels and reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
The money for the grant was raised through Heart Research UK's partnership with Subway, with the money being raised though instore donations across the country. Since 2001, Heart Research UK has awarded over 300 of these grants, directly benefitting the hearts of over 70,000 individuals and countless wider community and family members across all regions of the UK.
Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion and Education at Heart Research UK, said: ‘We are thrilled to be supporting Carers First as they launch this new project.’
If you’re interested in taking part in this project, get in touch here.
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