“I didn’t know there was someone out there looking out for carers.”
These are the words of Sandra who cares for her disabled sister even though she has a disability herself.
“The support worker just understood everything I was saying. It was a relief to have someone who got it.”
A carer is anyone who, without payment, assists a partner, child, relative, or friend who cannot manage without their help. Often, people do not identify as carers, unaware that support is available.
Quarriers Glasgow North West Carers Service, as part of the wider Glasgow City Carers Partnership, aims to ensure unpaid carers are identified early in their journey and receive the help they need, whether it’s through information on local services, emotional support, training, peer support or assistance with short breaks.
Sandra was able to access a range of services that helped her focus on her wellbeing, including a short break for a luxury facial and attending an introduction to Sound Bath Therapy event held jointly with the other carers centres in the city.
“What it did for me is hard to explain,” Sandra says. “It’s like a natural high. My anxiety fell away, and I felt I could take on the world.”
Sandra’s experience of finding peace through sound therapy shows the impact the carer’s service can have on mental health and wellbeing of carers. Furthermore, attending a carers event allowed her to connect with like-minded people, reminding her that she is not alone in her journey.
Robbie, from Glasgow, is a carer for his ageing mother. He shares how the service helped him at a critical time.
“I was struggling with depression, and I was drinking too much,” he explains. “I referred myself to Quarriers, and my support worker really helped. Just talking to her was great. You need to know you’re not alone. Caring is a lot, and it’s good to have someone to point you in the right direction.”
Robbie highlights the isolation many male carers feel, often missing out on support.
“There aren’t many men’s carers groups, and men need to talk more about their emotions. My support worker recently suggested a men’s group. I hope I can go and start making connections with others in the same situation.”
The Quarriers Glasgow NW Carers Service offers:
- Information and advice: Helping carers navigate health and social work services.
- Emotional support: Through Family Wellbeing Workers or peer group get-togethers, carers are offered a listening ear and guidance.
- Short breaks: Assistance with applying for a personalised short breaks or replacement care.
- Income maximisation: Information on benefits and help to access grants and charitable trusts.
- Training and wellbeing: Providing the tools to help carers manage their caring role while balancing the need to support their own wellbeing
- Having your voice heard: Representing carers’ voices on local and national issues and encouraging carers to have their voice heard
The team at Glasgow North West Carers Service wants unpaid carers to know they do not have to face their challenges alone.
“Many carers don’t know where to start,” says Lorna Crawley, a Family Wellbeing Worker at the service. “Carers often deal with dozens of different issues. We are here to help them figure out where to go and what to do next. Our goal is to empower carers to advocate for themselves, and we’re always available for advice.”
For unpaid carers in North West Glasgow the service offers hope, understanding, and practical assistance. To learn more or to access support you can self-refer through https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/carers
Glasgow postcodes covered:
Supporting carers in G1, G2, G3, G4, G11, G12, G13, G14, G15, G20, G21 (part of), G22, G23.
For more information on Quarriers unpaid carers support services, visit https://shorturl.at/aEFmy