“New to Caring” course

Enrolment is now open for the third cohort of the “New to Caring” course starting 3 June 2026. 

After two successful pilots, the course will be offered each term at Sutton College to support Sutton’s community of unpaid Carers.

Course Overview

This 5-week course offers free, practical sessions to help unpaid Carers manage their day-to-day caring roles. Sessions will be held on Wednesdays in June from 2 - 3:30 pm at Sutton College.

The curriculum was built entirely based on feedback from Carers in Sutton. 

• Financial matters: Facilitated by Citizens Advice Sutton and Sutton Carers Centre

• Home adaptations and assistive aides: Facilitated by Occupational Therapy

• Looking after yourself: Facilitated by Sutton Talking Therapies

• Moving and handling workshop: Facilitated by Occupational Therapy

• Planning ahead: Facilitated by Admiral Nurses and Sutton Carers Centre

Eligibility

To be eligible,

1. Carers must be providing unpaid care for an older adult, such as a partner or family member, and

2. The Carer or person cared must have a Sutton postcode OR be registered with a Sutton GP.

Course description

Becoming a carer can be a stressful and overwhelming time as circumstances change and responsibilities stack up. Practical advice and support, especially at the beginning of your caring journey, can make a difference by helping you navigate the responsibilities of being a carer and also supporting the wellbeing of the person you care for.

Whether you are new to caring or want to know more about what’s available in Sutton to support you in your caring role, this course is for you. Learn tips & tricks for caring for someone and hear about the offers and organisations supporting unpaid carers in Sutton.

Unpaid carers who participated in this course in 2025 told us:

• “This course is so useful. And what I like is that you brought in experts and we get a chance to speak to them, which we never (get to) do.”

• “It’s not just about the content. You have given me links, resources, and things to help when I go home.”

• “At the beginning, I would say there wasn't much there [to support carers]. Since attending this course my eyes have been opened to the support that's out there for people like us.”