National Caregiver Week: Stories of people who have dedicated their lives to caring for others UK News

Over the past 15 months, hundreds of people have selflessly mobilized to care for others at home, at work and in their communities.

Going beyond their normal roles to help, the coronavirus lockdown has shown a real sense of community spirit and how caring has become a part of our daily lives.

And to celebrate those who have dedicated their lives to helping others, filmmakers Dan Prince and Sam Laverick alongside the National Innovation Center Aging have produced a series of touching films.

The Carer in Us aims to highlight the difference caregivers make, challenge stereotypes and raise awareness of all types of care and caregivers by giving them a voice by sharing their own experience.

Victoria Burnip – Unforgettable Experiences

From a young age, Victoria cared for her father who was bipolar before caring for her grandmother Winifred who was diagnosed with dementia.

Over the years, she had the sorrow of watching her loving grandmother deteriorate before she passed away.

But Victoria retains special memories created by music and now uses her experience to care for others.

Victoria also supports her husband Richard who suffered a head injury in 2013 and together they started their own business, Unforgettable Experiences, providing creative, interactive and hands-on support to help older people with dementia and other neurological conditions. to access the arts and culture. .

Victoria of Darlington said: “It was very moving back then, compassion weighs on you.

“My heart and my passion is helping the elderly, especially those who have cognitive impairment because of what I went through with my grandmother.

“My grandmother was like a second mother to me. I saw her go from a little Rottweiler to a grandma who literally did everything for me to lose 4 stones, becoming only 4ft 10 and frail. It was hard.

“I might have remembered how fragile she was, but instead I remember particular times when she played the piano. Her eyes would light up and she would be happy and happy again. Even now there are songs that will make me cry.

“When I think of people who have loved ones at home who couldn’t see them, it’s incredibly sad. I wanted to create something where people could share their experiences with loved ones and keep memories to remember who they are.

Abu Shama – Sunderland Bangladesh International Center

Abu works with a wide range of communities and has seen first-hand the profound effect the pandemic has on day-to-day activities and support.

Its role in caring for the community has expanded and now includes food packages, home visits and helping the elderly to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

The director of Sunderland Bangladesh International Center said: “When we started our social distancing home visits, we found that there were a lot of refugees and asylum seekers who during the first month or two months, had virtually no contact with anyone.

“We have also found that many older people have had no conversations since we shut down since the lockdown was announced. My volunteer team and I made about 150 phone calls to some of the people protecting.

“It’s been great having that voice to start conversations to check people out. It has been very rewarding to show that we are there for them. Covid has removed this human link.

“Healing comes naturally to someone, that’s very important to me. Being there through tough times with just a one-minute call can make a connection to show we’re there for each other.

Rosemary Tarbit – Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service

Over the past 18 months, Rosemary, who works in community engagement in the fire department, said the pandemic has shaped a new way for the department to “take care” of the community.

From the delivery of PPE, food packages to the recovery of prescriptions, she went beyond raising awareness of fire safety among vulnerable groups.

In addition to working full time, Rosemary takes care of her 95-year-old stepmother, Eleanor, along with her husband Martin.

She said: “My mother-in-law always manages to live independently and we want to make sure that she can for as long as possible. We do the laundry, the housework, the shopping and the meals for her, but she manages the basic life herself.

“It takes time in some ways, but there was so little else to do while the pandemic had more time than I normally would have

“The pandemic was difficult for her and very isolating because she could not go to see it …