Norman's Story
Carers UK
1. Introduce yourself
1. Introduce yourselfI’m Norman age 73. I have a number of roles:
- Fundraising.
- Promotion of Carers UK and telling my story/sharing my experience as a carer
- Media work with Printed Media and TV, telling our story.
- Speaking with National and Local Politicians so they can understand the reality of life as a Carer.
2. How long have you been volunteering with them?
I started with Carers UK in 2012, so 13 years in total.
3. Why did you decide to begin volunteering?
Carers UK provided me with a great deal of support at a very difficult time during my caring journey, so I wanted to pay back Carers UK and to ensure other people knew that help was available and did not struggle like I did.
4. What have you enjoyed most about your time volunteering?
I feel part of a team, it feels valuable to know that I am making a difference to my fellow Carers.
5. What benefits have you experienced personally?
I feel I have regained my self-respect. I now feel I am a more confident person. I also understand that unless I look after myself, I will not be able to look after my Ros.
6. Do you have any stories you could share about your time volunteering?
What gives me a boost is when I speak truth to power. I have given various talks at the House of Commons, highlighting the contribution a Carer makes to another person. I always end my talks with the following statement “A Carer is an ordinary person willing to make an extraordinary contribution to another person”. It certainly hits a point.
The other thing I have done for 10 years is to arrange “The Stevenage Walk for Carers”. This is done during Carers Week. It is a whole day event, and we are joined by the Stevenage Mayor, our MP, Councillors, Healthcare and Social Care Professionals and anyone else who wishes to show support for Carers. To date the Walks have raised about £25K in total.
7. Has there been any challenges? How have you overcome them?
The biggest challenge I have faced is apathy by fellow carers. Many Carers feel exhausted and ground down by a Health and Social Care System that fails to recognise or support them. I understand that having felt that way myself. I try and overcome it by showing carers that just getting up each day and caring is a success story. I also say that we need to fight for a better deal, don’t allow the system to make us victims.
8. Would you recommend volunteering to others?
I certainly would recommend Volunteering with Carers UK. You are made to feel welcome and valued. You are never pressured into anything. You do what you can. Every contribution is treated with gratitude and respect.
9. What would you say to anyone who is thinking about volunteering?
Think about why you want to volunteer, remember you are already carrying a heavy load. Don’t add to your problems. Choose something to do that will add to your life, where you will feel valued. Try out a few things. Make sure you feel happy. If it does not do that, drop it and try something else. It is your life.
10. Anything else you’d like to add?
Remember Volunteering is a two-way street, whatever a volunteer gives is exactly that, a GIFT.
