Tag Archives: NHS carer support

“Listen to Me” – A Carer’s Plea Turned into Song

Caring for someone with a mental illness is an emotional, often isolating experience. Unpaid carers—whether they are family members, friends, or loved ones—carry immense responsibility, yet their voices can feel unheard, especially within the healthcare system.

One of my poem’s “On Being Heard” taken from my book The Poetry Book of Mental Health Caring, captures this struggle with raw honesty.

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How NHS Professionals Can Show Compassion and Value Unpaid Carers

Unpaid carers play an essential role in our healthcare system, especially for those dealing with mental ill health or long-term cancer care. Matthew McKenzie’s lecture brings much-needed attention to the critical role unpaid carers play and offers insights for both healthcare professionals and family members on how to better support these individuals. Let’s delve into key aspects highlighted in the lecture aimed at care awareness and support.

To watch a more indepth version please see the video below.


The Importance of Acknowledging and Valuing Carers

Unpaid carers are often the closest relatives or friends of the patient and have substantial insights about the patient’s history, symptoms, and what has worked best in their care journey.

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