Caring for the carers

Caring for the

carers

Carers have had a difficult time this last year, while care staff have been pushed to their limits. Here, Emily Miller hears what it’s been like on the front line

As someone who cares for a living, Jayesh Ghaghda, Director at Bluebird Care, is typically humble about what his needs were when helping others. “There was little time for self-care during the pandemic,” he said. “My biggest priority has been making sure our customers and carers were well looked after; I of course came far down the list of priorities for myself.”

Busying himself with work and making light of his stresses with humour, Jayesh tells me it was his family and team who helped him in the most stressful of times. “Having a good team in place that helps each other and shares the burden during difficult times has to be the most important thing.

“Many of the Bluebird Care staff that have worked throughout the pandemic have gone above and beyond, often working up to 60 hours a week including weekends. The pandemic has shown the huge character and compassion that our team has, and it has been this that has got us through.”

Carers were pushed to their limits during the pandemic, with staff at Bluebird Care working round the clock. Without the support of one another, Jayesh says: “There wouldn’t be the feeling of reward we experienced after getting through the toughest days.”

Used to keeping his feelings under wraps, I’m privileged to hear Jayesh open up about his time during the pandemic. He delves into why he believes it’s so important to open up, to share, and not feel shame when it comes to expressing emotions, especially for me. “By not talking about their emotions there is no escape valve, and often it is seen by society as a sign of weakness.

“I have heard many stories during the last year of friends or acquaintances that have suffered certain issues – some of them quite severe. However, it goes quiet after a while because of the inability to talk freely about it.

“We need to change the way society sees men talking so they can open up and not be judged or be ashamed of what they have been through. Let’s get men talking.”

Yes, let’s. Visit your GP for talking therapy referrals or see mind.org.uk for further avenues of support.

WE NEED TO CHANGE THE WAY SOCIETY SEES MEN TALKING SO THEY CAN OPEN UP AND NOT BE JUDGED OR BE ASHAMED OF WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH