COFFEE MORNING INFO SESSIONS archive
Scroll down to see what events we have already hosted for carers this year and in previous years.

24 April
Greenwich Mencap
Sally Ettridge, Support worker and Manager of the Carers Medical and Home Support Service
Sally will be sharing all the details of Mencap’s free Carers Medical & Home Support Service. This ensures that someone is there for your loved one, whether at home, in hospice, or providing support at appointments. Find out how you can access the service. Sally will also give us a run down on all the other services Mencap offers.

27 March
RBG Commissioning Carer’s Services: a workshop for carers.
EwyGrzegorczyk, Senior Commissioning Development Officer, Health & Adult Services
Here’s what Ewy says: “ We are currently recommissioning our carers’ services, and to make sure the new services truly reflect what carers need, we are carrying out co‑production with local unpaid carers. We will be using our time with you on the 27th to run a co‑production workshop to hear directly from you about your experiences of caring and of using local carer support services. Your lived experience and honest feedback will help us understand what is working well, what could be improved, and what matters most to you. As a thank you for your time, Love2Shop vouchers will be available for participants. Everything you share will play an important role in shaping how future carer support services are designed in the borough. We really appreciate your time and insight.Thank you from Caleb, Ewy (Evie) and Maria.”

20 March
Creative brainstorm! “Tree of Life” Wall Art - a carer collaboration.
CSG founder member and RBG Civic Award Lifetime Achievement award winner Avril Martin has designed a beautiful Tree of Life design depicting the lives of our loved ones as a tree, with the roots of community. The leaves symbolise all the wonderful aspects of happy fulfilling lives. We’re going to make this into a hanging textile and invite other carers to contribute easily-made, crafted elements as a community project. Join with us on Friday as we sketch out our design and plan how we will make it. No talent or experience needed just a love of colour and making!

13 March
Digital Health and Tech Service
Sonny Brown, Social Worker for DHACT
Meet the Digital Healthcare Team and learn how technology can help people with LD live safely and independently. The service can provide support such as: medication reminders, fall alarms or wearable alert devices, simple video calling screens, sensors that onitor daily activity. Come along to find out more and ask questions in a relaxed setting.

25 February
’Shared Lives’: respite care and supported living in a family home.
Donna Wood, Placement Officer and Sacha Wheatley from Greenwich Shared Lives
If your loved one goes to live with a Shared Lives carer, they will move in with an individual carer or a carer and their family. They will support your loved-one to live independently in their home. They will have their own room, be treated as part of the family, support them to look after their health and money and help them to be as independent as possible. Come and find our more about the Shared Lives service in Greenwich.

12 February
”Healthy Dialogues” Focus Group drop-in event
Share Your Experience of Local Pharmacies in Greenwich. We're inviting carers to take part in a one-hour small group discussion to share their experiences of using local pharmacies. Your views will help us understand what works well and what could be improved for carers. As a thank you for your time, you will receive a £l0 shopping voucher!

29 January
Check in with council: are commissioned services working for you?
Michael Cleary, Head of Market Quality and Sustainability RBG and colleagues,
Michael wants to gather your views on the services they commission; respite, day opportunities, supported housing and others. If the council pay partly or wholly for a service that you or your loved one receives then it’s ‘commissioned’. This is your chance have a face-to-face discussion with a decision-maker about what is working and what needs to change. Michael will also be giving us regular updates on changes to service provision.

22 January
Talk to a Provider: Brighter Futures
Kemi Madumere from Brighter Futures Specialist College.‍ ‍
Kemi will be here to talk about their wide range of opportunities for autistic and learning disabled adults. These include a specialist FE college, the Camouflage Cafe, activities such as their weekly disco and the associated Compass Supported Living.

15 January
Getting the most from welfare support: benefits for you and your loved ones.
Rhian Harries and Sally Edeki-Steadman, Welfare Rights Service RBG
We’ve asked Rhian and Sally to speak to carers about the financial support that’s available to you and your loved one. This informal discussion over a hot drink will provide an overview of disability, sickness and carers benefits was well on guidance on managing a Universal Credit claim at the point of transition onwards. It will also cover changes to carers’ allowance when a person reaches pension-age. Get the the most accurate information from the people who know best and maximise your entitlement.

11 December 2025
Hospital Care for your loved one
Jenny Davis and Rena Amin LEARNING DISABILITY NURSES, QEH
Jenny and Rena work at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and will be giving us advice about what to expect if your loved-one needs care in hospital. Jenny will explain her role as a link between parent carers and the clinical team. This is a really important opportunity to prepare yourself with ‘need-to-know’ information for both planned and emergency admissions. We will also be talking about how you would like to be treated if staying in hospital with your loved one, with a view to updating the Carers' Charter. Tell us what you need to make the stay work for you.

13 November 2025
Check in with social care - make sure you are getting the right support
Jane Nelson and Paul Murphy, SOCIAL CARE ASSESSORS RBG
Another regular date, Jane and Paul are a good sounding board and listening ear on the critical topic of social care. We talk to them about day services, social care and assessments and care packages amongst other things. It is really important you and your loved one get your full entitlement of social care support, so do not hold back from asking questions and seeking help.

6 November 2025
Enterprising carers - do your own thing and set up your own service!
Linzi Colaco, RBG Commissioning and Individual Service Funds (ISFs) and Ellie Briggs Walsh, Index Day Opportunities and All Kids Can
Linzi can help carers in Greenwich set up their own small businesses to support disabled residents, from help at home to fun community activities. Come along to find our how this could work for you. She will also tell us more about. Ellie is coming to tell us about their new centre in Middle Park and what opportunities there may be to co-design activities for adults with LD using their amazing multipurpose space.

23 October 2025
Direct Payments and all things finance: your questions answered
Stella Palermo and Charyl Lavelle from RBG
A Q& A session on money issues, social care payments and financial contributions for your loved one.

16 October2025
Setting up your own Supported Living?
Michael Cleary, RBG COMMISSIONING and Gary Parker, CNT ASSOCIATES
Increasingly, carers are getting together to set up shared supported living homes for their learning-disabled adults. Join us for an open talk with Michael and Gary; find out how this could work, what you'd need, explore ideas with other carers and develop your own plan for the future.