Dear Carers,

Please see below for information on an initiative delivered by Richmond and Wandsworth Council to improve the recognition of carers.

The Council’s Communication Team is hoping to do six or more interviews with unpaid carers in the borough. 

The discussion will be around 10 minutes long, with the final edited video being 2 minutes in length. The video will be used on the Council website, on the Council’s YouTube channel and shared on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Videos will be filmed wherever is most convenient for the volunteers, either at Richmond Carers Centre, the Civic Center in Twickenham or at participants homes if preferred.

The videos will be a friendly discussion between the person in a caring role and Sara Challice. Sara cared for her husband Neal for 13 years after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Sara now promotes good health and wellbeing for carers. She is the author of the book ‘Who Cares?’ which gives first hand experience and solutions to the issues carers face.

 Questions will be similar to the below examples:

• Who do you care for and how long have you been providing a caring role?
• What was it that helped you to understand that you were providing a caring role for someone?
• In what ways were supported through the understanding that you were providing a caring role?
• What are some of your biggest challenges?
• What support do you feel would make the biggest difference to your wellbeing at the beginning of your caring role?  
• In what ways could your employer/school accommodate your caring role?
• How could your employer/school support you to achieve your potential at work/in your studies?
• What makes/would make you feel a valued part of your community?
• What makes/would make you feel recognised and supported by your community in your caring role?
• What support do you need to improve and maintain your own health and wellbeing?

If anyone is interested, they can contact Fenna Maynard, Richmond Council Media Officer on 020 8847 5182 or email her at:

fenna.maynard@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Best wishes,

The Carers Team