I am a carer.
Carers come in all forms, family (including children) friends even neighbours, but most of them are unpaid and give up their precious time to help someone who is incapable of helping themselves.
I had to give up my job to continue with my care work. It was very difficult for me, not only did I lose my job I lost my income and my lifestyle. I would have loved things to be different, but there was nowhere else left to help as the person I cared for became an adult.
I now care for someone else as well, so I’m a carer for two people. My life is a constant juggle to keep everything in order. I rarely get any time to myself and if I do need to go anywhere plans need to made. I’m lucky as I do have back-ups that can take over my care duties if needed, but they are only short term.
Holidays are rare, they can be arranged but they tend to be short breaks rather than full holidays, and I’ve not been abroad. I couldn’t be too far away just in case.
I do have the occasional evening out with friends, but not with my partner because someone needs to stay home, so we tend to go out individually instead of together.
Are you a carer, or do you know one?
One in ten of us is a carer and three in five of us will become a carer at some point in their lives. Most of us know a carer and anyone can become a carer, literally overnight.
The Carers Trust offers information, advice and practical help to all carers across the UK.
You can find out more about the Carers Trust on these website.
Carers Website http://www.carers.org/
Young Carers Website https://babble.carers.org/
Young Adult Carers Website https://matter.carers.org/
The Carers Trust, supported by Greggs is holding a charity event Britains Best Breakfast.
Because a lot of carers have so many duties they often miss out on Breakfast, so the charity is encouraging people to raise money by hosting a breakfast, or simply donating instead of buying a breakfast.
Here is how the money raised will help carers:
giving them the chance to voice their concerns and gain reassurance.
So, would you be willing to join in?
If breakfast really isn’t your thing, you can still support the campaign by texting CARE to 70660 and donating £3 to Carers Trust.
Disclosure: I am writing this post in support of the Carers Trust, £20 will be donated in my name to the charity.
My mum is a full time carer to her disabled husband so I see first hand the difficulty she faces with this duty. Everything is all about the person you care for, and not about you as the carer so it is important to recognise that carers need support too.
I can see myself becoming a carer in future years and it does worry me. Carers don't seem to get enough support.
This country would collapse without akk the carers in it. They definatly do not get all the support they need.
Carers definitely don't seem to get much support at all do they?
Ridiculous considering how important and much needed they are x
Well done for highlighting carers. They are the forgotten people for those who, without, will certainly struggle with their daily life. H x
My brother was a carer for my nan. It totally changed his life but he never got any recognition for it. I wonder what would happen if all the carers just said enough was enough one day.
I am a carer, we have a local support group that is pretty good but for the most I am pretty isolated. Luckily I do have some help and have been able to have some free time this year.
My Mum and Dad turned to the local carers outreach when I was going through a bad time – they seem to be such an amazing support group. x
This is a fantastic and worthwhile cause. Breakfast is so important, particularly for those who have such a demanding and stressful life, so it's a really appropriate focus! Thanks for sharing this brilliant initiative. xx
I am not a carer but I know people who are and it is such a demanding but rewarding job
Well done on raising awareness of this cause. Carers fulfil a valuable and often unpaid role and society as a whole should acknowledge this and support them in whatever way they are able.
My Mum was a carer when I was growing up and it's only now that I'm an adult that I can see how difficult that must have been for her. Well done for supporting this cause.
Well done for highlighting the work of carers – I think it's very telling that so many miss breakfast, especially as they may be on duty 24 hours a day. That suggests a serious lack of support, as that kind of life is not sustainable for most people, no matter how much they love the person they care for x
You have to be a pretty special type of person to care for people in any sort of way. I worked as a carer in a nursing home for dementia patients. I couldn't emotionally or physically handle it so I really take my head off to people that do
I've a few family members who are full time carers for family. It really is a rewarding thing to do but so exhausting
I've a few family members who are full time carers for family. It really is a rewarding thing to do but so exhausting
I know so many people who are carers and I honestly don't think people realise or understand what a job it is!