UNPAID carers from across Wiltshire were given a rare opportunity to take time for themselves during a special pamper day at our Chippenham campus.
The event, organised in partnership with Carers Together Wiltshire, offered unpaid carers free hair and beauty treatments provided by students at the College’s training salon – giving many a chance to relax and recharge away from their caring responsibilities.
For one unpaid carer who attended, the day offered something simple – some precious time to relax.
The Chippenham-based unpaid carer, who asked to remain anonymous, cares for her adult daughter with complex disabilities and said the pressures of caring can be overwhelming.
“It’s important to carve out time for yourself,” she said. “Having something like this where you can just relax and be looked after for a little while really does make a difference.”
The event was the second of its kind held at the Chippenham campus, following the success of an earlier session in June.
Emily Clark, Events and Engagement Officer at Carers Together Wiltshire, said the idea came from conversations with unpaid carers who said they would value a chance to step away from their responsibilities and enjoy a short break.
“Unpaid carers told us they would love a pampering session and the chance to get out and have a break,” she said. “We’ve received such positive feedback from unpaid carers who attended the previous event. Opportunities like this are always popular because carers rarely get the chance to focus on themselves.
“Even having 10 or 30 minutes where someone is looking after them means a lot.”
The day also helped remove one of the barriers many unpaid carers face when trying to attend events, by working with social care students so that unpaid carers could take along the person they care for. Unpaid carers could book a treatment and relax, knowing that social care students were on hand to offer a drink and a chat.
Emily added: “It’s been really lovely because unpaid carers have been able to bring their loved ones along if they need to, which means people who can’t normally leave the house still have the opportunity to come and enjoy a treatment.”
The event also gave hair and beauty students valuable hands-on experience in a real salon environment while helping provide unpaid carers with a rare opportunity to take a short break from their responsibilities.
For many who attended, even a small amount of time to relax and feel looked after themselves made a meaningful difference.
Interested in studying Hair and Beauty? Explore our range of full-time and part-time courses.
Need support as a carer? Visit Carers Together Wiltshire for more information, advice, and recourses.
Book a treatment at Aspire Salon
The Aspire Academy of Hair and Beauty salons are based at our Chippenham, Salisbury and Trowbridge campuses, offering treatments at great value.
