Bill’s story
How Sharing the Caring helped a carer needing some time out
Bill is a carer for his wife Cathy who has cerebral palsy and needs to use a wheelchair.
Bill helps Cathy to wash and dress in the mornings and evenings, he assists her to get in and out of her wheelchair, and does all of the housework, cooking and shopping for the home.
Bill and Cathy spent all of their time together due to the assistance that Cathy required from Bill.
Bill was looking for some information about carers’ benefits on the internet when he came across the North Tyneside Carers Centre and the Sharing the Caring service; he contacted the Centre to find out more, including the cost of the service. Bill had decided that he didn’t want involvement from Social Services.
Bill decided that he would like to pay for 4 hours of Sharing the Caring per week. The Sharing the Caring Coordinator visited Bill and Cathy at home to discuss when they would like the service and whether they would like a male or female support worker, they also discussed what activities Cathy would like to do with the support worker during sessions.
The support worker now visits every Tuesday morning which has allowed Bill to join a walking group, which he has wanted to do for sometime.
Bill enjoys time out from his caring role and is free to spend time doing something he enjoys.
Cathy enjoys her sessions with the support worker and particularly enjoys spending time with another female.
