Elizabeth's story
"I’m a believer in fate and I wanted to give back to The Carers’ Centre – they saved my life."
Elizabeth shares her story of becoming a Community Volunteer and her experiences of being an unpaid carer for her partner.
Elizabeth volunteers her time to inspire, educate and motivate her local community to raise awareness of unpaid care in Twerton, Bath. She tells us about her experiences as an unpaid carer, and as a volunteer with The Carers’ Centre.
Elizabeth joined The Carers’ Centre community in 2021 after recently moving to Bath. At the age of 29 she started caring for her partner Andy, who has mental and physical health conditions.
“I moved to Bath during the pandemic, so my connections were limited. I didn’t have any friends and I felt so isolated. I was referred to the charity after Andy was sectioned by the hospital. I was not coping at all.”
“I care for my partner who has severe mental health problems. It’s been a rough year and a half as we’re both not working now, and he was sectioned last year due to a psychotic episode. We are both in our 20s and he was in hospital for a month. It was a difficult and scary time. He is very up and down, when it’s bad I care 24/7. I have to prompt him to have a shower, help him with his medication, care for our cat, etc.
I find my caring situation to be quite different from other people I have met. I also have my own mental health problems. The support I have had from The Carers’ Centre has been my lifeline.”
She attended activities and courses to take some time for herself and meet others that understand what it’s like to look after someone.
“I have two friends in the local area through joining an activity. The Carers’ Centre has been essential for my mental health.”
Due to her partner’s conditions progressing, Elizabeth took on greater caring responsibilities and was unable to return to work.
“I used to live for my work, for nursing. It’s a vocation for me. I needed something else to keep me going, I want to feel like I’m helping people.”
She spotted an advert for volunteer opportunities in Caretime, our quarterly publication, and saw it as a sign to reach out.
Unpaid carers are often ignored or misunderstood. Yet, the contribution they make to their families, friends and local communities is huge. Community Volunteers like Elizabeth help engage, educate and motivate local members and residents to ensure carers are recognised have improved routes to support in their local area.
“Being a Community Volunteer means recognising individuals, and the community spaces that might benefit with an interaction. It’s realising where people might need help.”
“If someone in Twerton talks to me about something, it’s the first thing I mention! I carry informational cards wherever I go.”
Elizabeth has visited local community spots, delivered a testimony at her local church and shares information about carer support services. Her personal experiences of unpaid care has helped others recognise themselves and other carers around them.
“It’s an excellent role for me as it’s flexible. Most people that volunteer for The Carers’ Centre are carers, first and foremost is to care for Andy.”
As well as the flexibility, Elizabeth enjoys being a volunteer because of the connections she’s made in her local community and at The Carers’ Centre.
“I’ve built up fantastic connections with people here, the workers and volunteers. They make me feel very welcome. As a volunteer, you’re seen as one of the team it’s refreshing! I like that I can ring up anytime, it makes me feel very valued.”
Have you been inspired by Elizabeth's story?
If you would like to become a volunteer like Elizabeth, check out our opportunities and contact us to get involved!
