Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. The campaign is brought to life by thousands of individuals and organisations who come together to organise activities and events throughout the UK, drawing attention to just how important caring is. Here at tide we want to mark Carers Week by sharing the experiences from our membership, which is made up of carers and former carers.
Caring for someone with dementia can, at times, be challenging, isolating and exhausting but it can also be very rewarding. There are about 670,000 carers of people living with dementia in the UK. They do a fantastic job, saving the state £11bn a year, but many say that they do not have the services and support they need.
Here at tide, we empower carers of people with dementia, helping them recognise that they are experts by experience. We believe that by working closely with carers, we can help them understand that, as experts, their voice matters, and can be used to bring about real change. This week we will be highlighting the stories of carers, and former carers on our Carers' Experiences page. You can check below for a daily schedule of newly published stories, and connect with us on Twitter and Facebook to share your reflections.
Monday Afternoon: Natasha - The Identity I Didn't Ask For
Tuesday Morning: Moyra T - Thoughts on Caring
Tuesday Afternoon: Steve - The Next Step
Wednesday Morning: Dana - I Was His Angel, Now He's Mine
Wednesday Afternoon: Alison - Losing and Finding 'Me'
Thursday Morning: Sue - Baz and I
Thursday Afternoon: Ray - This Is Me
Friday Morning: John - Who Cares For Me?
Friday Afternoon: Moyra B - A Carer's Experience
Saturday Morning: Sue - Honouring Mums Memory