The Heart of Care: A space for unpaid carers to breathe, heal, and belong
From "THINC Fund Large Projects (£25,000-£50,000)"
Go to the project
The Heart of Care: A space for unpaid carers to breathe, heal, and belong
Every day, unpaid carers hold our families and communities together through illness, disability, and crisis. Parents care for children with complex needs and aging parents; young people care for parents, siblings, and grandparents; grandparents step in when others can’t. They give their time, health, and energy so that others can live well, often at the expense of their own wellbeing.
The Heart of Care will change that. It will create an Intergenerational Carers Wellbeing Centre, a warm, inclusive space in the heart of Brixton where adult and young carers can restore their health, connect with others, and access the support they deserve.
What we’ll offer
Across 2026, the centre will host 24 wellbeing days (two per month), alternating between adult-carer, young-carer, and shared family wellbeing. Each session will blend movement, creativity, and care in an uplifting, culturally aware environment designed by carers, for carers.
• Fitness and movement: for strength, flexibility, energy and confidence.
• Complementary therapies: massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, and acupuncture to relieve stress.
• Wellbeing workshops: sleep, nutrition, mindfulness, and resilience.
• Health checks: blood pressure, BMI, wellbeing assessments, and NHS signposting.
• Creative and peer-support activities: helping carers share stories, build friendships, and find belonging.
Why it matters
With over 18,000 unpaid carers in Lambeth, many living with stress-related illness, exhaustion, and isolation, the message is clear: without dedicated wellbeing support, those who hold our families together risk breaking down themselves. Preventing burnout saves both lives and public money. One hospital admission can cost £3,000, the same as several months of community wellbeing support.
The Heart of Care will succeed because it is rooted in lived experience, trusted relationships, and proven results. Carers4Carers was founded and is led by people who have cared for loved ones themselves. We understand the challenges carers face because we’ve lived them: balancing culture, work, faith, and family while navigating systems that don’t always see us.
Our team reflects the borough’s rich cultural and ethnic mix ensuring our approach is inclusive, relevant, and reflective of local life. We have a strong track record delivering effective wellbeing programmes all of which improved confidence, health, and social connection.
The difference it will make
• Better mental and physical health: less stress, improved energy, and earlier prevention.
• Reduced isolation: new friendships and shared understanding across communities.
• Stronger family bonds: parents, children, and elders finding joy together.
• Empowered carers: more confident, connected, and resilient.
By combining physical activity, therapeutic care, and peer connection, the Heart of Care will improve wellbeing, reduce isolation, and strengthen family relationships. Data will be collected through health checks, feedback, and wellbeing scales to evidence impact and inform future growth.
This is community prevention in action, compassionate, evidence-based, and cost-effective. It builds on our proud tradition of solidarity, resilience, and cultural pride, offering a space where wellbeing feels familiar, joyful, and accessible to everyone.
Our ask: £25,000
Because when carers are well, our whole community stays well.