Chiswick Carers Cafe offers moral and practical support for carers 

A monthly drop in on Saturdays for unpaid carers

Being the carer for a family member, neighbour or friend can be quite an isolating experience.

With that in mind Hounslow Council is organising drop in sessions – the Carers’ Cafe – once a month in the lounge bar at Chiswick Cinema so people can swap stories with other carers in a situation similar to themselves, make friends and talk to advisers who know what benefits and other help might be available to them.

The next one will be on Saturday 12 September from 11.00 am – 1.00 pm.

Chiswick has a high number of unpaid carers – typically people in their fifteis and sixties looking after elderly parents or children with mental health or addiction problems, or in their seventies looking after partners with long term illnesses such as dementia or Parkinsons.

In the 2021 carer census there were 773 unpaid carers in Hounslow’s three Chiswick wards in the 50 – 64 age bracket, 592 in the 35 – 49 age group and 299 in the 65 – 74 age group. Remarkably there were 41 unpaid carers over the age of 85 and 382 under the age of 35.

Children and young people who care for relatives are offered support by Brentford FC’s Community Sports Trust.

Monthly drop-in at Chiswick Cinema 

Nadia Atiq manages the very small team whose job it is to provide information, advice & specialist services for adult social care in LB Hounslow. She told The Chiswick Calendar they set up the ‘Carers Cafe’ monthly drop-in a year ago.

More friendly and accessible than having to go on a website and book an appointment at council offices at the other end of the borough, since April the sessions, on the second Saturday of the month, have been held in the lounge bar of Chiswick Cinema.

All her team, herself included, have experienced being unpaid carers themselves. The idea is that people can go, with or without the person they are caring for, to somewhere that is local, pleasant to spent time in, and wheelchair accessible, where they can meet people who are facing some of the same issues.

In this informal setting carers can either mix and mingle, make friends and seek advice, or they can just relax and have a coffee. Sometimes they organise activities, she told me, but there is no pressure to take part.

They have a Whatsapp channel and a newsletter, Nadia told us, in addition to the basic information for carers on the Council website.

Trying to find out what state benefits are available is foreign territory for many people who find themselves caring for a dependent in later life. Tips on navigating the system is exactly the kind of help they are able to give.

Typically Chiswick’s carers are ‘self-funding’ – professional types who are used to fending for themselves who may not feel comfortable reaching out for help.

‘’You guys kept us carers going throughout winter, while everyone else paused their events, carers had somewhere they could go”

Nadia gave me an example of a carer who looks after her daughter who has a learning disability and Autism.

‘When she first started attending the Carer Cafes, she expressed wanting to leave her job as her employer would not allow her to take time off to attend to her daughter’s needs, which she said she needed once every few months for hospital appointments.

‘The Carers Service informed her about the Carers Leave Act 2023 and supported her to use it when speaking to her employer. She is still in work and feels more comfortable with requesting leave to support with her caring role.

‘She now also supports other carers and people with Autism who attend support groups in knowing about the services available to them’.

She appreciated being able to come to the monthly drop in sessions in Chiswick because it was local. and informal:

‘’You guys kept us carers going throughout winter, while everyone else paused their events, carers had somewhere they could go”.

Another carer, Mahesh, looks after his wife who has cancer. He also has two children in secondary school whom he takes care of.

‘He attended the Carer Café and wanted to discuss his situation in detail. He was appreciative of the fact that there was space to have a confidential discussion away from the group. He also commented ‘’thank you for being that listening ear I needed. Thank you for being where you will say you will be and for following up when I need extra help.’

‘He said he has learned a lot on his caring journey and wants to support other carers who are at the beginning of their journey. He encourages all carers to attend events where they can speak to trusted Carers Advisers, as well as meet other carers who share some of the same experiences.

During Carers Week 2026, M attended one of the events where he was introduced to the manager of the Young Carers Project run by Brentford Community Football Club Trust to ensure his children were supported as young carers as well.

A survey to improve support for carers and awards for inspirational carers

Nadia’s team is currently carrying out a survey and are looking for carers who have had experience of a Carers Assessment through Hounslow Social Work Teams and want to share their experiences to help improve formal support for carers.

“They can also attend a focus group in September if they wish to share their views in person – comments and views expressed will remain confidential unless carers are happy to have their names included.

“Our new Principal Social Worker is passionate about improving the Council’s offer for unpaid carers and will be working with me to help implement changes according to themes identified from the views and experiences that unpaid Carers share with us”.

They are also looking for nominations for the Hounslow Carer Awards so people are able to share their appreciation for those who are usually unsung heroes. The nine categories include: ‘Inspirational Carer of the Year – An unpaid carer who has inspired you or others’, and ‘Light in Someone’s Life Award – An unpaid carer who brightens up your day!’