Later this week Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with Norfolk Carers, will host its annual event dedicated to carers.

The Norwich Carers Forum will be held on Friday, October 28 at The City Academy, Norwich, and will focus on providing information and help for carers of people with a mental health difficulty.

Attendees will hear guest speakers from the NSFT and other organisations discuss topics including personality disorders, psychosis, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and how carers can support the people they care for.

Carers and service users will be on hand to tell their stories, while the importance of the peer to peer support workers will also be highlighted.

Local organisations and charities will also their market stalls and be available to explain the services they provide and how to access them.

In addition, the day will also offer free taster sessions in holistic therapies such as Indian head massage, reflexology and a nail bar.

Howard Tidman, Senior Practitioner at NSFT who organised the event, said: “Anyone caring for someone with a mental health difficulty in the Norwich area is invited to the event.

“Carers will have the chance to listen to expert advice as well as find out what support is available to them.

“They will have the opportunity to share their experiences with others who may be facing similar challenges as they carry out their vital caring role.

“We want the day to be informal and welcoming while giving people the chance to get together, chat and share their own experiences.

“All of the previous events we’ve arranged have been really well attended and attracted excellent feedback from the people who came along, so we hope to repeat that success this time around.”

The Forum takes place at The City Academy, on Bluebell Road, Norwich, NR4 7LP between 10am and 4pm. The event is free to attend.

A series of talks delivered by NSFT staff and experts in mental health is available to view on YouTube: www.nsft.nhs.uk/mentalhealthperspectives