“It’s really made a difference… and it sparked something in me…”
Louise came to Action for Family Carers through a referral from Adult Social Care. Her husband had been in the hospital, and on top of his already complex medical condition, his needs had increased significantly. Suddenly, Louise found herself taking on even more in her caring role—with hardly any outside help.
One of our West Essex Carer Support Team reached out for a chat. Over the phone, they had an open and honest conversation about how things were going. Louise shared that she couldn’t leave her husband for more than an hour a day, and the extra responsibilities were taking a toll—impacting her sleep, her wellbeing, and even her emotions. She was feeling resentful, then guilty for feeling that way.
Together, they worked through her situation, identifying what support would help the most. Louise decided to try counselling to process some of her feelings, and we connected her with her local carer support group. They also talked through ways she could carve out a little time for herself, even while staying at home. Through this conversation, Louise realised her caring role had changed so much that it was time for a new Carers Assessment—to see if additional support was available.
A few weeks later, we checked in again. Louise had started counselling, which she described as “very calming.” Her Carers Assessment resulted in a direct payment to help her get some much-needed respite time. Inspired by this, she decided to apply for one of our Time4You wellbeing grants—to buy a sewing machine so she could spend time creating things for her grandchildren, giving her a way to relax at home.
The grant was approved, and now, with her new sewing machine, a support group, and counselling, Louise feels more supported than ever. She told us that the Time4You grant and the help she’s received have given her a whole new lease on life.
In Louise’s own words “It’s really made a difference… and it sparked something in me… I’ve now started decorating the spare room so it’s MY room and not just a dumping ground! It’s made me feel cared-for, in a way… thank you so much!”
👉 If you or someone you know is caring for a loved one and needs extra support, we’re here to help. Get in touch today!
