Growing Old Grace-fully are hosting an online session and reflection as part of our Carers Project, being led by Michelle Anderson. This is on Wednesday 15th July at 2pm.
“You are Precious in my Eyes“, we will consider how carers may often feel ignored or invisible, but can be reassured in the knowledge that they are always seen by God and are precious to him.
This online session will include practical information, time to share experiences along with prayer and reflection.
Whilst this is mainly aimed at unpaid carers, it is open to all. Anyone who wishes to attend just needs to email Michelle at carersproject@growingoldgracefully.org.uk & she will send you the Zoom link to join.
All carers and the person or people they are caring for are invited to join us for a special Mass to celebrate the wonderful and important work of unpaid carers across the Diocese of Leeds.
It is on Saturday 11th July at 12pm (12 noon) at Leeds Cathedral, Great George Street, Leeds LS2 8BE.
This Mass is a great opportunity for us to pray for unpaid carers, acknowledging how invaluable they are, and how vital their role is within society. This special Mass is part of our Carers Project, being led by Michelle Anderson.
A sandwich lunch will be served in Cathedral Hall after Mass.
For more information, email Michelle at carersproject@growingoldgracefully.org.uk. It would be helpful if you can let us know you are attending, so we have an idea of numbers for the sandwich lunch, but all are welcome.
Every First Wednesday of the month at 2pm – starting 3rd June 2026
Growing Old Grace-fully is starting a monthly online support group for unpaid carers, which will meet on the first Wednesday of every month at 2pm. This is part of our Carers Project, being led by Michelle Anderson.
The first session will be on Wednesday 3rd June at 2pm.
All unpaid carers are invited to come and join the session for an opportunity to make new friends, chat and share with each other, including space and time to pray.
Sometimes leaving the person you care for may not be possible which is why we are offering these online sessions; to bring support and the opportunity to pray and have time for your faith in your own home or wherever you are caring.
The special Stations of the Cross for carers is now available to watch online our our YouTube Channel.
These special Stations of the Cross have been written by Fr Eamonn Hegarty and Michelle Anderson specifically with carers in mind. Fr Eamonn is Parish Priest of St. Mary of the Angels, Batley and St. Patrick’s, Birstall and Michelle is Co-ordinator of the Growing Old Grace-fully Carers Project. Through the Stations of the Cross, we discover that Jesus walks this road with us. These Stations invite carers to see their own lives reflected in Christ’s journey – not as something to be explained away, spiritualised too quickly, or endured in silence, but as a place where God is already present and at work.
You can watch the Stations of the Cross for carers by clicking the button below.
Growing Old Grace-fully is delighted to announce the launch of a new Carers Project, which will be a key focus of our work.
The main aim of the project is to recognise and value the role of unpaid carers and offer emotional and spiritual support to them within the Catholic Diocese of Leeds.
Unpaid carers can often face isolation at a time when they may have difficult decisions to make and a range of emotions that caring for a loved one can bring.
The project aims to help reduce the isolation, giving carers the opportunity to engage with other Christian carers and support each other through their faith.
So many people, including many older people, have caring responsibilities of some sort, for spouses, friends and adult children with special needs. Caring is something hugely important to society and a real vocation, whether chosen or not.
The project will be coordinated and led by Michelle Anderson and we are delighted Michelle is joining the Growing Old Grace-fully team.
Michelle Anderson, Carers Project Coordinator
Michelle introduces herself as follows:
“I live within the Diocese of Leeds and am a parishioner of the Parish of St Mary and St Patrick in Batley and Birstall. I am the Parish Administrator and also a Foundation Governor of St Mary’s Catholic Primary Academy. I take an active part in parish life and enjoy meeting new people. Since leaving education I have been involved in support and care in a variety of roles.
“Working with older people, and advocating for vulnerable people and those in need of support, has always been something that has been close to my heart. Making a difference and helping to make improvements in people’s lives, no matter how small, is something I have always been passionate about”.
Would you like to be involved in the project?
There will be a number of ways to be involved in the project. These will include:
Regular online meetings where carers will have the opportunity to chat and share with each other, including space and time to pray.
Days of reflection for carers
Online talks where carers will be able to share their reflections and look at how faith helps.
If you would like to get involved with the project or you feel the project could be of benefit to you or someone you know please get in touch, either through your parish priest or by visiting our website growingoldgracefully.org.uk.
