“I just wish I’d known about Carers’ Support East Kent earlier!”
Gaynor 43 lives with her family in Tenterden. She combines studying and working for her nursing apprenticeship with caring for her young adult daughter who has autism and mental health issues.
“My daughter’s mental health goes up and down. I need to organise health appointments, sort prescriptions, do her shopping, make sure she gets out for exercise but mainly it’s about being there for her, providing social and emotional support when she’s not coping mental health wise.
At the time I was referred to Carers’ Support East Kent (through mental health services), I was working on a Covid ward and was close to breakdown myself. They have been phoning me regularly to help me with the things causing me stress and giving me ideas of how to cope. They also suggested telling my daughter how I’m feeling and that has really helped. It’s been great to speak to the same person every time, someone who is neutral, doesn’t judge, listens and maybe looks at things from a different angle. These little things have made a massive difference and helped me cope better with my situation. I just wish I’d known about Carers’ Support East Kent earlier!”
“I also find just getting even 20 minutes to myself outside of work or being a Carer helps to calm me down, whether that’s sitting down with a cup of coffee or doing regular mindfulness which really helps to ‘reset’ me.”