Hall Green Carers’ Meditation Programme
A Moment of Peace: Hall Green Carers’ Meditation Programme
Forward Carers launched a small grants initiative last year that enabled Carers to come together for shared wellbeing and respite. Here is an example of how one group of Carers used their grant.
The Programme
Carers in Hall Green identified a need for dedicated time and space to prioritise their own wellbeing. Using a £500 grant from Forward Carers, they established a Carers’ Meditation Programme at the local mosque. The programme aimed to create a calm, culturally sensitive environment where unpaid Carers could relax, reflect, and reconnect.
Between November and April, the grant funded sessions every two to three weeks. A qualified practitioner facilitated guided meditations grounded in Islamic Spirituality, and each session included time for discussion and nourishing refreshments.
Who Took Part
Across the six-month period, 53 Carers took part. The cohort included adult children caring for parents, partners supporting spouses, and older parents caring for adult children. All sessions were free, local, and fully accessible.
What Happened in Each Session
Each session began with a warm welcome and refreshments. The facilitator then led mindful breathing and visualisation exercises, drawing on Quranic reflections. Following the meditation, Carers participated in open peer discussions on themes such as stress, faith, and coping strategies. Sessions concluded with a gratitude practice, helping Carers leave feeling centred and uplifted.
Impact
Carers described the sessions as transformative. One Carer shared, “I walked in feeling overwhelmed; I walked out feeling light.” (Carer, age 45). Another reflected, “Sharing stories with others who get it was just as healing as the meditation itself.” (Carer, age 62).
Participants reported enhanced wellbeing, stronger social connections, and reduced feelings of isolation. For many, the sessions represented their only regular opportunity to meet other Carers. Carers also experienced lower levels of anxiety and a deepened sense of spiritual connection. Several attendees now meet informally outside of the sessions, demonstrating the programme’s lasting community impact.
The future
The group extends thanks to Forward Carers and Birmingham City Council for recognising the value of small, targeted grants. With just £500, this initiative brought healing and connection to Carers who give so much to others. The group plans to extend the programme later this year and looks forward to welcoming new Carers from across Hall Green.
