In the UK, over two million people have caring responsibilities as well as their regular job. The extent of the pandemic has shown us all just how valuable the contribution of support workers in the care industry is. But what if you work a ‘day job’ and no one knows about your caring commitments? Carers Week is the perfect time to shine a light on the colleagues among us who have another job to do once they’ve logged off for the day.
Marielle Molette works as a Commissioning Officer in the Joint Commissioning Team in Adults and Health, but she is also a carer for her mum, who suffers from dementia. Marielle is happy to provide the vital care her mum needs and doesn’t really see herself a carer. In addition to this, the coronavirus pandemic has added to the pressures of having to juggle work, life and caring responsibilities.
Marielle says: “I try to take mum to the allotment every day, something she really enjoys. This way she can stand outside and still see the grandchildren, as we are counted as one household anyway. We have a table and chair at the allotment so mum can sit, be among the lovely flowers and walk around.
“COVID-19 has made things really difficult because with dementia, you really need a sense of routine, which we can’t stick to at the moment. My mum’s dementia was preceded by short-term memory loss after she was attacked and she was never the same after that.
“When I started caring for mum, my GP recommended that I register with the Barnet Carers Centre, to access counselling and other services of support that would be available to me. So far, I have found my GP to be amazingly supportive, but Carers Week has been a reminder that I can find out more about what Barnet Carers Centre can offer. For example, if there was an emergency and I was unable to care for mum, the centre could provide a ‘cover’ carer to support me.
“To be honest, I am lucky as pre-COVID, I had close friends who would be able to help out if I needed to go on holiday or go away somewhere. My friends also have an allotment on the same plot as mine – so I still have them to talk to if I need it!
“I don’t see caring as a burden – my mum has done everything for me, so the least I can do is give back and care for her in her older age.”
Although Marielle has a good support network of family and friends, there are many carers who struggle with their responsibilities and might not be aware of the support they can access. Need to talk about some of the challenges your caring responsibilities have bought you, but don’t know where to start?
There is a live Q&A for Carers Week being hosted by the Chief Executive of Barnet Carers Centre tomorrow (Thursday 11 June) from 1-2pm via Microsoft Teams. Access it at this link. Find out more about Carers Week on Yammer here.