During the pandemic I was a student at University, it was a challenging time as I was also having to home school my four children. I took some time out of my studies as my children then also became ill one by one with strep throat and I was having to provide full time care for them.
I needed a work experience placement that would fit around my studies and my children, I saw the Carers First opportunity through the placement office at University and I started volunteering as a Check in and Chat caller in April 2022.
Check in and chat volunteers phone carers who have not had contact from Carers First in over six months. They offer general support and signpost to the helpline for additional support.
I really enjoyed my placement and saw a role that suited my skill set and was based around helping people.
The experience was very eye opening, to see how unpaid carers fit in to society, that there was such a high number, and no one really realises, sometimes they are sad and isolating situations.
Some of the calls were particularly challenging but I always felt I had made a difference to that carer, they were often thankful for the call – to know someone was there who understood.
One call that stood out was a lady who described herself as feeling invisible due to being in a wheelchair and not getting out the house much. This was a difficult call, but I felt I had made a difference in telling her about support. I have used this situation as inspiration for my next University presentation, on diversity and inclusion.
I was wowed by my placement and knew I wanted to be involved in the charity more. I want to do a job where I make a difference and that is rewarding. A job that allows me to put my learning in to practice. I had seen a Carer Support Advisor job with Carers First, but it was full time and I had to work around my studies. When Chloe from Carers First sent me the details for the role of telephone befriending coordinator I knew I had to go for it, I never would have thought of doing a job like this if I had not been involved through volunteering.
I am pleased to say that I was successful in being appointed as the befriending coordinator, I fulfilled this role for the full six-month contract, this fitted in well alongside my health and social care studies and family life. The befriending service, like Check in Chat offers much needed telephone conversations to individuals who find themselves socially isolated through their caring roles, these services would not be possible without the support and dedication of the wonderful volunteers who make these calls.
Ellie, the Volunteer Manager, was incredibly supportive and encouraged me to apply to be a Carer Support Advisor (CSA), within my local team. I am happy to say that I was successful and started work as a CSA in April 2023.
I have now completed my health and social care degree, and I am thoroughly enjoying my role, as I am achieving my dream to be working in such a rewarding job. The Lincolnshire West team are also amazingly supportive, and I could not ask for more.
It is so nice to be supporting unpaid carers, Carers First offers an array of advice and support, as well as hosting many wonderful and enjoyable events to support carers, to be able to live a more fulfilling life whilst in their caring roles.
My advice would be to definitely volunteer if you can, as it is extremely rewarding, it makes a huge difference to someone's day.
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