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📢 Is This the Way to Fix Social Care in England? 📢
Social care in England is facing a crisis, but could there finally be solutions on the horizon? This insightful article explores potential reforms and what they could mean for paid and unpaid carers. If you're navigating the challenges of the care system, this is a must-read!
👉 Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/so....ciety/2025/jan/19/is
#socialcare #carerssupport #wetalkcare #caresystemreform #caregivers
So, Who Is Caring for the Carers?
As a carer, you dedicate so much of yourself to looking after others. But who is looking after you? It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the needs of those you care for, leaving your own well-being on the backburner. The truth is, to be the best carer you can be, you need to prioritise yourself too.
So, Who Is Caring for the Carers?
As a carer, you dedicate so much of yourself to looking after others. But who is looking after you? It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the needs of those you care for, leaving your own well-being on the backburner. The truth is, to be the best carer you can be, you need to prioritise yourself too.
Hello Everyone 👋
My name is Felicity, and I’m a passionate advocate for the WeTalkCare platform. My commitment stems from my personal and professional experiences as a support worker, healthcare assistant, and NHS staff member.
In addition to these paid roles, I was also a part-time carer for my grandma, who had vascular dementia. My mum, who lived with my grandparents at the time, found herself in a particularly challenging position as a full-time carer. Both my grandparents had vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s, and my mum balanced her caregiving role alongside working as a retail assistant.
Being a full-time carer was isolating for my mum. With no external support and only family like myself to rely on, she faced immense pressure every single day. My grandad, an ex-naval gunnery officer, was deeply proud and valued his independence. Because of this, he didn’t want carers in his home or to visit day centres. Instead, he kept himself busy by sticking to familiar routines—visiting the same shops, taking the same bus routes into town, and eating at the same café. The shopkeepers became familiar faces and an essential part of his daily life.
While this routine kept my grandma active, things changed drastically at dusk or when my mum was at work. My grandma often became agitated, confused, and repetitive, which must have been incredibly hard for my grandad to witness. With his Alzheimer’s, he would sometimes lose patience and shout, which only added to the strain.
There were moments when my grandma would wander off, feeling disoriented and confused.
On several occasions, the police found her and return her home, which was a heartbreaking and stressful experience for us all.
These experiences taught me how essential it is to have a strong support system in place for carers and their loved ones. Platforms like WeTalkCare are invaluable for providing that support and creating a sense of community for those who often feel alone in their caregiving journey.
I will share more of experience and tips we discovered as family carers
https://staffordshire.foundation/grants/nhs/
Are you a community interest group or a charity?
Do you work with carers to support their mental health or well-being?
Raising awareness specifically targeted for carers caring for someone with severe mental illness
Clearer navigation to carers support pathways aligned to geographical area therefore preventing delays for both staff and carers
Creating bespoke accessible carers support forums specifically for those carers caring for someone with severe mental throughout Stoke and North Staffordshire
Increase knowledge and understanding how accessing these benefits can have a positive impact on their caring role
Easier access to financial support aligned to caring role
Preventative interventions that inform, advice and support and maintain carers wellbeing
Projects will need to be supporting carers of those with Severe Mental illness (SMI)*
* Definition of SMI: The phrase severe mental illness (SMI) is defined as someone over the age of 18 who has a mental, behavioural, or emotional disorder that causes serious functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities
I am a Master of Entrepreneurship and a mother of two, passionate about supporting families and promoting well-being.
With experience as a Support Worker for learning disabilities and a Health Care Assistant, I’ve also cared for my grandparents with dementia and Alzheimer’s, inspiring my dedication to caregiving.
I’m now building a Community Interest Company to support families, prevent mental health issues, and encourage less screen time for children by creating nature-based activities.