Carers Network's Podcast Series

In this sixth episode of Carers Network's podcast series, Carers Network's Community Development Officer Igor talks chats to Mark from the Carers Network team about the new Carers Found project.They talk about how certain unpaid carers don’t identify themselves as being carers – and so they miss out on vital support that is available to them.These carers just see caring as something they would naturally do for a loved one or family member – or sometimes don’t want to be classified as a carer as they see it as stigmatising..Certain communities are particularly hard to reach, and male carers are a group we have found difficult in the past to engage with.Digital exclusion can be a factor that also contributes to people missing out and this has been highlighted by the recent pandemic when many services have gone online.Igor and Mark discuss how the Carers Found project aims to engage with these communities and groups of carers through outreach work and the use of alternative means of communication – including the use of interpreters and translated materials. The Carers Network Podcast Series is produced thanks to the very generous support of A2 Dominion Investing in Communities ‘Great Places to Live’ Community Emergency Fund. 

In this fourth episode of Carers Network's new podcast series, Carers Network's Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea Services Manager Sandie Roberts talks to Sharon Hammond, Project Manager for Working For Carers at Camden Carers.Working For Carers supports unpaid carers and former carers in London, who are aged 25 or over, to move closer to employment. Carers can access free support, which is tailored to meet individual needs. This includes one-to-one meetings with a dedicated Employment Personal Advisor; group activities and training workshops; help with job searching.; support with CVs, job applications and interview techniques, and access to employment, volunteering, and training opportunities. They discuss how the project helps to support local unpaid carers along with the impact the pandemic has had on employment opportunities and how they deliver their services.The Carers Network Podcast Series is produced thanks to the very generous support of A2 Dominion Investing in Communities’ Great Places to Live Community Emergency Fund.

Thursday 26 November 2020 is Carers Rights Day. This is a national day that helps to ensure unpaid carers are aware of their rights and know where to get help and support. To mark Carers Rights Day, Carers Network is launching this new episode of their ‘Living Through Lockdown’ podcast series featuring an interview with Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter.In the episode, Carers Network’s Chair Nadia Taylor – who cares for her parents and husband in Hammersmith, talks with Andy Slaughter MP about the particular challenges facing unpaid carers.They discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every aspect of caring, affecting carers’ access to services and activities and their physical and mental health. Carers are more isolated than ever before.As well as wanting to bring these issues to the forefront this Carers Rights Day he urges us to “celebrate the fantastic achievements of carers and the efforts that are going in to beat the crisis at the moment …. I absolutely appreciate what every single carer in the borough, and indeed across the country, does. I particularly want to say thank you to Carers Network because without the support you give, people will be in a much worse condition both practically but also morally and mentally.” Andy Slaughter MP

In this second episode of Carers Network's new podcast series, Carers Network's former CEO Sally Miller talks to Roy Lilley. Roy is a health policy analyst, writer, broadcaster and commentator on the National Health Service and social issuesRecorded before the 2nd national lockdown in England was introduced, together they reflect on the first lockdown and initial 6 months of the pandemic. They discuss the particular challenges faced by unpaid carers and the huge impact their tireless work has had on nation and NHS:"Let's say thank you to unpaid carers. There are a million backs that need patting and we should do it now" Roy Lilley.They also focus on how technology has been used to overcome these challenges and what organisations like Carers Network should be doing more of.The Carers Network Podcast Series is produced thanks to the very generous support of A2 Dominion Investing in Communities’ Great Places to Live Community Emergency Fund.

In this first episode of Carers Network's new podcast series, Carers Network's CEO Sally Miller talks to Councillor Tim Mitchell, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health at Westminster City Council.Together they reflect on the last 6 months and the responses to Coronavirus locally in the City of Westminster. along with how unpaid carers have been affected by the pandemic and the possible future challenges that will be faced.The Carers Network Podcast Series is produced thanks to the very generous support of A2 Dominion Investing in Communities’ Great Places to Live Community Emergency Fund.