A Journey of Resilience, Seeking Support and Self-Care
The gap in equality for carers in the workplace is significant. In the UK, around five million people balance work with caring responsibilities, and nearly half feel overwhelmed. Carers UK research found that 2.6 million people have given up work to care – that’s 600 people a day. Shwetal shares her experience of leaving her job to focus on caring responsibilities.
For an impressive 37 years, Shwetal excelled as a Construction Project Manager in London—an occupation she really enjoyed. However, when her father-in-law, Navinchandra, who is now in his mid-nineties, started needing fulltime care due to the challenges of heart disease, arthritis, and dementia, Shwetal made the difficult choice to step back from her career.
“Leaving my career felt like closing a chapter of my life,” she shares. “I loved my job, but my family needed me.”
Shwetal’s days now revolve around caring for Navinchandra, which involves managing his diet, attending to his personal needs, and providing emotional
support as he navigates the challenges of dementia. “I don’t have much time for
myself,” Shwetal notes. “I always need someone to be with him because he can’t be left alone.” Even planning a simple family meal requires careful consideration.
Caring for Navinchandra also means adjusting finances, making it hard for Shwetal to prioritise her health. “The strain from caring has made it difficult for me to take care of my health,” she explains, mentioning a rare medical condition. Yet she remains resilient, “It’s all added to the stress, but I’m learning to navigate it.”
Shwetal discovered Carers First while volunteering as a management committee member for her local Asian carers group. Keen to learn coping strategies, she participated in Carers First’s activities and accessed valuable resources that transformed her caring experience, notably the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) sessions, which blend cognitive therapy with
acupressure.
“The EFT training has been a game-changer,” Shwetal emphasises. “It helps me stay positive, even on the hardest days!”
Incorporating yoga into her self-care routine has also brought her peace and energy. “Taking care of myself empowers me to provide even better care for Navinchandra,” she says. The online wellbeing sessions have made a big difference, saving time and money while offering essential support. She
also enjoys connecting with others at the monthly meet-ups.
"I recently enjoyed a group visit to the Horniman Museum. It was such a fun day, and we even enjoyed a complimentary lunch!"
The local community team has been instrumental in supporting Shwetal.
“From arranging Navinchandra’s Powers of Attorney to advising on financial matters, the team has been a consistent source of help.”
In December 2024, Shwetal joined our Chief Executive, Alison Taylor, at the Parliamentary Drop-In organised by Carers UK for their ‘Carers Poverty Coalition's campaign. She spoke passionately about the challenges faced by unpaid carers, representing those who often go unheard. “Advocating for
carers’ rights was an emotional and pivotal moment for me,” she reflected.
Shwetal navigates the many challenges of becoming a carer by finding theright
support, highlighting the importance of seeking guidance and prioritising selfcare.
Shwetal’s unwavering spirit shines through: “It’s tough, but with my family’s
support and the help of Carers First, I know I can keep going,” she says with
confidence. "From financial guidance to emotional support, the charity has been
there for me every step of the way.”
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