Unpaid Carers Week Events in Tameside 2026

Key Points

• Carers Week 2026 runs from 8–14 June across the UK with the theme “Building Connections”
• Tameside offers two free events for unpaid carers: Bingo and Banter (10 June) and Stronger Together (11 June)
• Bingo and Banter: 1–3pm, 10 June, 4C Community Centre, Taunton Rd, Ashton-under-Lyne; includes pie lunch, prizes, booking essential
• Stronger Together Event: 1–3pm, 11 June, Hyde Town Hall; features local services marketplace, professionals, voluntary organisations; booking recommended but drop-ins welcome
• Unpaid carers in Tameside receive year-round support from Tameside Carers Centre at People Place, Market Place, Ashton-under-Lyne
• Cllr Jackie Lane, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Inclusivity, emphasised the events help carers relax, meet others, and discover support
• To book: email carerscentre@tameside.gov.uk or call 0161 342 3344
• Events align with council priorities to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation, and build inclusive communities
• An unpaid carer is defined as anyone supporting a partner, family member, friend, or neighbour who could not manage without their help
• Tameside Carers Centre opened in March 1995 and provides advice, drop-ins, signposting, and social activities.

Tameside(Manchester Mirror) June 04, 2026 – People who look after someone across Tameside are invited to come together during Carers Week to enjoy two events designed to provide opportunities for connection and support, as reported by Not Really Here Media’s Tameside Reporter editorial team.

The events are part of Carers Week, a national campaign running from 8 to 14 June 2026 celebrating the vital contribution carers make, with this year’s national theme being “Building Connections”. An unpaid carer is anyone who looks after a partner, family member, friend or neighbour who could not manage without their support, according to the official definition used by Tameside Council.

In Tameside, carers are supported year-round by a team based at Tameside Carers Centre, located at the People Place in Tameside One, Market Place, Ashton-under-Lyne. The centre offers advice, drop-in sessions, signposting and social activities, helping carers feel supported, connected and less isolated throughout the year.

When Is the Bingo and Banter Afternoon in Ashton-under-Lyne?

Carers Week will begin with a fun-filled Bingo and Banter afternoon on Wednesday 10 June at the 4C Community Centre, Taunton Rd, Ashton-under-Lyne from 1 to 3pm, as detailed in Tameside Council’s official newsroom announcement.

The event will give carers and those they care for the chance to relax together, share a laugh and enjoy some well‑deserved appreciation in a friendly and supportive setting, according to council communications. With bingo games, prizes and plenty of time to chat, the afternoon promises a fun and relaxed atmosphere, along with a pie lunch for all attendees.

Places for this event must be booked in advance to support catering arrangements and to ensure carers are registered for the activity, Tameside Council emphasised.

What Can Attendees Expect at the Stronger Together Event in Hyde?

Activities will continue on Thursday 11 June with the Stronger Together Event at Hyde Town Hall, running from 1pm to 3pm, as confirmed by Tameside Council’s Newsroom.

This informative and supportive afternoon will bring carers, professionals and voluntary organisations all together in one location. A marketplace of local services will give carers the opportunity to gather information, ask questions and find out what support is available from local providers.

Attendees are encouraged to book a place in advance, although additional drop-ins can be accommodated on the day, offering flexibility for those unable to register beforehand.

How Can Tameside Carers Book Their Places at These Events?

To book onto the events, carers should email carerscentre@tameside.gov.uk or call 0161 342 3344, according to the contact details provided by Tameside Carers Centre.

The booking process supports catering arrangements for the Bingo and Banter afternoon and ensures carers are properly registered for both activities, council officials explained.

What Did Tameside Council Leaders Say About Carers Week 2026?

Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Inclusivity, Cllr Jackie Lane, said: “Carers Month is an important opportunity to recognise unpaid carers and the incredible support they provide, as well as the dedication of the staff at the Carers Centre,” as reported in the official council press release.

Cllr Lane continued: “These events are a great chance for carers to relax, meet others who understand their experiences and find out what support is available. We’d encourage carers to come along and take part,” she added, according to Not Really Here Media’s coverage.

The events support wider council priorities around improving wellbeing, reducing isolation and building strong, inclusive communities, Tameside Council stated in their newsroom announcement.

Why Is Carers Week Important for Unpaid Carers Across the UK?

Carers Week 2026 takes place from 8–14 June, bringing communities across England together to recognise unpaid carers, according to Sutton Carers Centre’s national event listing.

The national campaign’s 2026 theme, “Building Connections,” reflects the critical need to reduce isolation among unpaid carers, as highlighted by NHS England’s Carers Week 2026 Young Carers Session announcement.

In Tameside specifically, the Tameside Carers Centre opened in March 1995, with its aim to provide those who look after someone in Tameside with information, advice, support and advocacy, according to Millgate Healthcare Partnership’s historical records.

The Centre is part of Tameside Adult Services, and they offer a range of services to support unpaid Carers, regardless of whether they are receiving benefits or not, as stated on the NHS service directory.

What Defines an Unpaid Carer in Tameside and Across Britain?

A Carer is a person who provides informal and/or unpaid support to a partner, family member, friend or neighbour and they could not manage without this help, according to Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council’s official definition.

This definition aligns with the national understanding used throughout Carers Week, where unpaid carers are recognised for their vital contribution to the health and wellbeing of those they support.

The support provided by unpaid carers often enables care recipients to remain in their own homes rather than requiring institutional care, though this specific statistic was not included in the Tameside Council announcement.

How Do These Events Fit Into Tameside’s Wider Support System for Carers?

The Carers Week events complement the year-round support available at Tameside Carers Centre, which offers advice, drop-in sessions, signposting and social activities throughout the year.

The centre helps carers feel supported, connected and less isolated, addressing one of the biggest challenges faced by those providing unpaid care to loved ones.

Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Inclusivity, Cllr Jackie Lane, highlighted that the events provide carers with opportunities to meet others who understand their experiences, which is crucial for mental wellbeing and reducing the sense of isolation that many carers face.

Background: The Development of Carers Support in Tameside

The Tameside Carers Centre has been serving unpaid carers in the borough since March 1995, when it first opened with the specific aim of providing information, advice, support and advocacy to those looking after someone in Tameside.

The Centre is now part of Tameside Adult Services within Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, and continues to offer a comprehensive range of services to support unpaid Carers, regardless of whether they are receiving benefits or not.

The centre’s location at People Place in Tameside One, Market Place, Ashton-under-Lyne, provides a central hub where carers can access drop-in sessions, receive professional advice, and participate in social activities designed to reduce isolation.

Carers Week itself is a national campaign that has been running across the UK for many years, with the 2026 iteration taking place from 8–14 June under the theme “Building Connections”.

The current Carers Week events in Tameside represent the continuation of a long-standing commitment by the council to recognise and support the incredible contribution unpaid carers make to their communities, as emphasised by Cllr Jackie Lane in her official statement.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Unpaid Carers in Tameside

The two Carers Week 2026 events in Tameside are likely to have a significant positive impact on unpaid carers across the borough by providing much-needed opportunities for connection, support, and respite from their caring responsibilities.

Immediate Benefits for Attending Carers

Unpaid carers who attend the Bingo and Banter afternoon on 10 June will experience immediate relief from isolation through social interaction in a relaxed, fun environment. The provision of a pie lunch and prizes creates a welcoming atmosphere that encourages carers to prioritise their own wellbeing, something many neglect while focusing on others’ needs.

Carers attending the Stronger Together Event on 11 June will gain practical knowledge about available support services through the marketplace of local services, potentially connecting them with resources they were previously unaware of.

Long-Term Impact on Carer Wellbeing

The events align with Tameside Council’s priorities around improving wellbeing and reducing isolation, suggesting that participation could lead to sustained improvements in mental health outcomes for attending carers over time.

Carers who meet others who understand their experiences at these events may develop ongoing support networks that extend beyond Carers Week, creating lasting friendships with people facing similar challenges.

Potential Barriers and Access Considerations

The requirement to book in advance for the Bingo and Banter afternoon may exclude some carers who are unable to plan ahead due to the unpredictable nature of caring responsibilities, though the Stronger Together Event accommodates drop-ins on the day.

Carers who are not digitally literate or lack internet access may face challenges booking via email, though the provision of a phone number (0161 342 3344) offers an alternative booking method.

Broader Community Impact

Increased awareness of unpaid carers’ needs through these events may encourage more community members to recognise and support carers in their own networks, potentially leading to informal support networks developing organically throughout Tameside.

The events may also help normalize help-seeking behaviour among carers, encouraging those who have never accessed the Tameside Carers Centre to reach out for year-round support services.

Impact on Care Recipients

The fact that carers and those they care for are both invited to the Bingo and Banter afternoon means care recipients will also benefit from the social interaction and relaxed atmosphere, potentially improving their wellbeing as well.

Carers who feel more supported and less isolated may experience reduced stress levels, which can positively affect the quality of care they provide to their loved ones, creating a positive feedback loop for both parties.

The success of these 2026 events may influence future council investment in carers’ support services, potentially leading to expanded programming and resources for unpaid carers in Tameside in coming years.