The BBC has launched ‘Caring Matters’ which aims to increase awareness of unpaid carers with content across various platforms from May 23th - May 30th. BBC introduces Caring Matters, a week of special programming to help audiences navigate caring
1 Like
A shame to only get this info two days before their week ends.
Will anything be available on BBC iPlayer or catch-up channels?
2 Likes
Some programmes can be access on BBC Iplayer: BBC One - Natalie Cassidy: Caring Together, Series 1, Episode 1
BBC morning today had good coverage on caring, it is available on Iplayer too.
The BBC have been ‘advertising’ this week’s Caring Matters over the last couple of weeks.
There has usually been an item in the news programmes and also one in The Late Show (7pm BBC1) apart from the Natalie Cassidy programmes.
1 Like
I saw the start of the Natalie Cassidy programme but found it very flat and boring. Was it just me? In the end I turned it over.
1 Like
@bowlingbun , your not wrong. I did the same. A lot of “celebs” haven’t a clue about what we go through. For some, they would have more than a meltdown. I sympathize for Natalie, but your right. It was flat and boring, I changed over before I nodded off.
I thought Carers Week was supposed to be about UNPAID carers?
Clearly the course she was doing would lead to a paid carer role.
I have seen absolutely nothing about Carers Week in my local area, this year.
2 Likes
Likewise which is why I commented on CUK only publicising the BBC content part way through the week.
Can I ask CUK to let us know IN ADVANCE of what is going to be on TV and what other events are planned?
I seldom watch any terrestrial TV now, preferring satellite documentaries to endless cooking and game shows!
Even satellite has so little of interest (or maybe a reflection of how I was feeling?) that I ended up with Citizen Smith which takes me back to my teenage years and always makes me laugh.
Tomorrow I find out whether I need surgery on my tendon.
2 Likes
Precisely the issue I have - I rarely watch TV because Graham had it on all day long with game shows and Lowest Common Denominator programmes so it drove me mad. I watch items of particular interest, and often not even the news as it is so depresssing.
1 Like
It seems to me that the Natalie Cassidy programme is a promotion to get more people into caring, and that’s not a bad thing. However, I agree it’s not about unpaid carers. I watched a couple of the Morning Live programmes (whizzed through on catch up). I thought they were much better as they really emphasised the need for carers to look after themselves first.
2 Likes
@bowlingbun , I too thought the same. I saw nothing in my area about supporting current and former carers. What a con.
I’ve just watched some of Loose Women. they were talking about caring for people with dementia. It really highlighted how hard it is for both unpaid and paid carers. Also the guilt involved with feeling that you are not doing enough and when the care needs to go to a care home.
1 Like
@HorsyDeb , I know what you mean. I watched a brief clip of it online. What annoys me with many “celebs” is I reckon they just stick their loved one in a home and to heck with the consequences. Many don’t have the same worries as us. Don’t get me wrong, I agree with some of what they say but, not everything. Many of them can afford private healthcare and can afford paid carers. Most of us can’t. That’s why many “celebs” annoy me.
1 Like
The focus is always on caring for the elderly. Caring for a disabled child is very long term. No chance to work, build up savings, a pension. 16 years without a child free day ruined my health forever.
3 Likes
@bowlingbun , I can only but imagine how tough it is. I probably mentioned in pervious posts, my mates have kids. Myself and mum used to help care for them. They said they sometimes are stressed when they can’t have child free days. I know your circumstances are different, caring for disabled children is difficult. My mates say to me “I envy the fact your single and no kids”. Being a bachelor isn’t all beer and skittles.
As a carer and as a worker, I raised this on a regular basis. 20% of all carers are parent carers, and they have the absolute worst health outcomes, poverty outcomes, everything. And they are largely ignored by the politicians, by the authorites, and by carer charities. Parent carers are at the bottom of the rung when their children are small, and are considered a nuisance once their children become adults.
It was my biggest frustration that nothing really changed no matter what I did.
1 Like
So true, those caring for elderly parents know that one day that role will be over.
1 Like
A very upsetting case in this area.
A woman from Wiltshire who cared for her elderly mother was jailed at Bristol Crown Court yesterday for 8 years for Manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility. She could not cope and killed her Mum before trying to do same to herself but failed then called police to report what she had done.
She suffers from depression and the judge said it was extremely difficult to find the right punishment.
Its the sort of situation which needs highlighting as an example of when an unpaid carer can no longer cope and has their own health problems - mental or physical - and there is no support.
I hesitate to comment on here but I think it needs drawing to wider attention.
2 Likes
@Chris_22081 I can understand the Judge’s dilemma, and the ‘broken’ system has to take some responsibility? Someone somewhere should have realised that the carer was not coping.
@bowlingbun I take your point about people caring for elderly parents think there may be an ‘end in sight’ but as a society we are living longer but not necessarily in better health. There are several on Roll Call who are trying to care for very elderly parents. E is 87 and given his co morbidities I honestly did not think he would make 75 yet alone 80 and he is convinced he will make 90. So more of us will be forced into caring for longer.
2 Likes