COFFEE MORNING INFO SESSIONS archive
Scroll down for a list of the events we have led for carers previously.

16 October 2025
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

5 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
Welfare Rights
A deep dive into all the benefits available to carers and their loved ones, how to apply and how to find support to apply.

Other events 2025

5 December 2025
Carers Voices
Our very own Greenwich Carers Voices are singing for service users at the Sherard Road Day Centre Christmas Fair!

10 December 2025
Carers Voices
Once again, Greenwich Carers Voices are singing for service users at the Index Day Opportunities.

5 December 2025
Christmas Meal together
We’re having our carers Christmas Dinner at 7pm The Guardhouse, No 1 Street Woolwich Arsenal, London SE18 6GH.

16 December 2025
Carers Voices
Our last gig before the holidays! Greenwich Carers Voices are singing for parents and carers at Willow Dene School.